Inside Sport December 2023 Edition

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EDI T ORI A L COMMEN TA RY

WILL SOUTH AFRICA CONTINUE TO DAZZLE?

PUBLISHED BY

Picasso Headline, A proud division of Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Hill on Empire, 16 Empire Road (cnr Hillside Road), Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 PO Box 12500, Mill Street, Cape Town, 8010 www.businessmediamags.co.za

H

ow do you come down from the high of the Springboks’ nerve-jangling Rugby World Cup performances?

Well, you don’t, you just ride that wonderful victory wave of euphoria for four more years.

What an inspiration Siya Kolisi and his Boks were for all youngsters – true torchbearers for South African sport in France.

Now, et tu Bafana Bafana? What do you have in store for us as you take your place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire?

Expecting Bok-like bravado from Bafana might be asking a bit much, but Hugo Broos’ side have found a bit of solidity and some swagger as they head to West Africa, where they will be hoping to cause a few upsets at Africa’s biggest football event.

The draw was kind enough for Bafana as they drew Tunisia, neighbours Namibia, and Mali in Group E. They will be looking to at least progress to the AFCON knockout stages.

Sowetan sports editor Nkareng Matshe runs the rule over Bafana in this edition of Inside Sport.

He says that with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams

EDITORIAL Editor, Inside Sport: Jermaine Craig Sports Editor, Sowetan: Nkareng Matshe Content Manager: Raina Julies | rainaj@picasso.co.za Contributors: Herman Gibbs, Stuart Hess, Gary Lemke Copy Editor: Brenda Bryden Content Co-ordinator: Natasha Maneveldt Digital Editor: Stacey Visser vissers@businessmediamags.co.za DESIGN Head of Design: Jayne Macé-Ferguson Senior Designer: Mfundo Archie Ndzo Designer: Bulelwa Sotashe Cover Images: istock.com/ Pav_1007, getty images/ Lefty Shivambu, FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images, Lefty Shivambu/ Gallo Images SALES Project Manager: Merryl Klein merrylk@picasso.co.za | +27 21 469 2446 Sales: Gavin Payne PRODUCTION Production Editor: Shamiela Brenner Advertising Co-ordinator: Johan Labuschagne Subscriptions and Distribution: Fatima Dramat fatimad@picasso.co.za Printer: CTP Printers, Cape Town MANAGEMENT Management Accountant: Deidre Musha Business Manager: Lodewyk van der Walt General Manager, Magazines: Jocelyne Bayer

Contents 4

CRICKET Betway SA20 is growing and attracting a new generation of young talent.

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HORSE RACING Thoroughbreds and their fans.

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POLO Discovering the thrill of the chase.

11 GOLF

We take a look at the Absa Cape Epic.

15 AFCON Images: Supplied

Images: Supplied

Is 2024 the year for Bafana?

any form without written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. Inside Sport is published by Picasso Headline. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Picasso Headline. All advertisements/advertorials have been paid for and therefore do not carry any endorsement by the publisher.

Editor Jermaine Craig

FAREWELL JERMAINE CRAIG As we were preparing this issue of Inside Sport for print, we received the shocking news that the editor and our esteemed colleague and friend, Jermaine Craig, passed away suddenly on Monday 4 December.

We are sad that Jermaine never got to see the printed issue of this magazine, but we dedicate it to his memory.

We will miss his friendship, editing and writing talent, impressive sports knowledge and, most of all, his big, cheerful presence. Read the tribute to Jermaine on page 2.

All of us at Picasso Headline and Arena Holdings extend our condolences to Jermaine’s family and wish them strength, courage and comfort during this sad time.

A new breed of fantastic future stars.

12 MOUNTAIN BIKING

COPYRIGHT: No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in

impressing between the sticks, Percy Tau having become one of the lions of African football with Al Ahly, and Lebo Mathiba and Zakhele Lepasa shining at club level, things are looking up for Bafana.

Let’s back the boys and see how they go against Africa’s big guns.

Stuart Hess looks at the second instalment of the Betway SA20 and finds South African cricket in far better health than it was a year or so ago, with plenty of young talent flowing through the pipeline.

We also look at the Padel craze that’s sweeping South Africa, and see that the Sunshine Tour’s doing just nicely as it sees out the LIV Golf phenomenon and continues to grow in stature and prestige, with no less than six DP World Tour events on its calendar.

We also look at the “amazing madness” that is the Absa Cape Epic, which celebrates its 20th edition next year. We’ve enjoyed putting this issue together, and we hope you enjoy the read.

16 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Prodigious talent – the EPL’s rising stars.

19 PADEL The fastest-growing racquet sport in the world.

19 CYCLING There’s still time to get in your entries for the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

20 THE OUTTAKE If there’s one man who could possibly broker a peace deal successfully between the warring factions at Safa and the PSL, it should be Patrice Motsepe.

15 Percy Tau

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TRIBUTE TO JERMAINE CRAIG

FAREWELL

By Nkareng Matshe

It was there he proved his flexibility, which became so beneficial to his life journey. As South Africa braced to host the 2010 World Cup, Danny Jordaan headhunted Jermaine to work as media head. Those who worked with him attested to him putting in long hours to ensure the country delivered what Fifa later termed the best World Cup ever.

At a personal level, I not only witnessed Jermaine put in those long hours and come up with great story ideas, but also his humanity. A few months after joining The Star, I found myself in a pickle as my flatmate had to move to Pretoria, leaving me without accommodation. Jermaine offered me a room in a house he and his friends were renting in Linden – we shared that home for over eight months.

We continued to keep in touch even after he had momentarily left frontline journalism and began consulting – Inside Sport was one of his many projects.

He roped me in last year, and we would bounce around ideas on what content worked and what didn’t.

As a consummate professional, Jermaine ensured that deadlines were met and copy was of the highest standard.

Always wearing his charming smile, Jermaine contributed immensely to the journalistic profession, not just with the written words, but with actions, such as mentoring up-and-coming young journalists.

He will be sorely missed, not just by his young family and friends to whom we offer condolences, but by the entire country as well, for we are much poorer without his wisdom, leadership and, especially, his versatility.

The team working on Inside Sport and all at Arena Holdings join me in bidding Jermaine Craig farewell, may he rest in peace.

“BEIN ENJO

Image: Jermaine Craig/Facebook

O

n the morning of 4 December, we received the shattering news that Jermaine Craig had passed away.

Jermaine, 47, was a brilliant journalist who served the profession admirably, even at a time when it has had to reform to adapt to the myriad of challenges facing the industry.

Having honed his skills at the Cape Argus, he arrived in Johannesburg as a young sports reporter for The Star in the early 2000s, and that’s where his career truly took off for the brighter heights that he would scale right up to his untimely end.

I worked with Jermaine at The Star from 2003, when I joined as a junior football writer.

At the time, he had just moved to become Independent Newspapers’ chief cricket correspondent as South Africa was hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup that year.

Jermaine was our man in the Proteas camp, able to come up with unique angles for back- and front-page articles. When Australia was to land at OR Tambo Airport for the World Cup, Jermaine came up with a brilliant story headlined: “The team SA have to beat”, with a picture of Ricky Ponting leading his team out of the arrivals terminal.

Sadly, the Proteas had a disappointing tournament and bombed out at the first hurdle. Jermaine, as an allrounder, then switched to football, but it wasn’t too long before his leadership capabilities were recognised and he moved to the news department to join the editorial management team.

Jermaine Craig

Always wearing his charming smile, Jermaine contributed immensely to the journalistic profession.

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RISING STARS Betway SA20 is growing and attracting a new generation of young talent, writes STUART HESS

K

wena Maphaka may not play a game in the second season of the Betway SA20, but his presence in it encapsulates the tournament’s growth as it seeks to build on a successful first instalment.

Maphaka is 17 years old, still in Grade 11, and has played seven senior matches. His selection for the SA A team occurred via a phone call from the Proteas Test coach, Shukri Conrad, while Maphaka was enjoying school break time. In August, when the SA20 opened the window for “wild card” picks, he was signed by the Paarl Royals.

“From a Royals perspective, we just saw a big upturn in what he has potentially and what he could get to. We wanted to get in early and not risk it turning into a big purse at the auction,” says Richard das Neves, who sits on the Royals’ coaching staff.

SO,

WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS The inaugural season of the SA20 made an enormous impression on the South African sporting landscape. Not only did it help turn around the narrative regarding cricket in the country, from

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THE SA20 IS A STRONG SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCT, WHICH SETS IT APART FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE T20 IN DUBAI. overwhelmingly negative to more optimistic, but it also showcased young talent hidden from the public’s view because of the waning interest in domestic cricket.

Where Jordan Hermann and Gerald Coetzee stepped to the fore last summer, so Maphaka hopes to make an impression in January.

The growth of the SA20 is illustrated in the increase in squad size and, most importantly, the expansion to include at least one rookie contract – for a player under the age of 22 – for each franchise.

Besides Maphaka, the most stunning use of thatnew addition was the Pretoria Capitals’ R1.6-million acquisition of 20-year-old all-rounder Matthew Boast.

“For youngsters to play alongside and against some of the top internationals and the best of South Africa’s cricketers is an incredible opportunity for them,” says the SA20’s commissioner, Graeme Smith.

Gerald Coetzee

Amid the excitement generated by the new tournament, the biggest surprise for Smith, his management staff and the team’s owners – all Indian-based conglomerates – was the enthusiasm and speed with which South Africans quickly adopted the new teams.

It must be remembered that the League barely had time to market the event last year after Cricket SA (CSA) – the majority shareholders in the tournament – only signed off on it in April.

BIG AMBITIONS, HIGH HOPES

Kwena Maphaka

Smith is steadfast in emphasising the need for what happens on the fi eld to be the primary goal of the tournament. “We have set big ambitions to be the biggest league outside of India, but we also want to attract the number one sport and entertainment stuff and bring that into the in-stadium experience. Ultimately, the in-stadium fan experience and the way it comes through on broadcast is dependent on the cricket itself. That will always be key to us,” explains Smith.

Jordan Hermann

SA

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Images: Supplied, Gallo image/ Pankaj Nangia, Gallo image/ Charle Lombard, Gallo image/ Lee Warren, Gallo image/ Richard Huggard

CRICKET

Rashid Khan Then there was the pessimistic outlook for the sport, the result of years of maladministration along with poor results for the Proteas, following the retirements of some legendary players.

“Last year, there were just negative comments every time we went anywhere because of the failed attempts (at establishing a franchise league) in South African cricket previously,” says Smith, pointing to the failures of the Global League T20 and Mzansi Super League, which left CSA hamstrung both reputationally and financially.

Last year’s success has made signing agreements with players and sponsors easier for the 2024 edition. Last year it was obtaining the signature of England white-ball captain Jos Buttler, fast bowler Jofra Archer, and investment from those Indian conglomerates that ensured the SA20’s establishment was accelerated.

“Through this year, we’ve had more time to look at some of the things we never had a chance to do (last year),” explains Smith.

Much of that will be marketing, THE PLAYERS: in season greater fan engagement and one, the League featured six creating a livelier TV product. privately-owned teams of All those elements are linked 18 players. Each team was allowed to what happens on the field. to field up to four international The SA20 is a strong South players in a match, giving plenty of African product, which sets it opportunities for homegrown stars apart from the International and young local talent to shine League T20 (ILT20) in while playing alongside the best in Dubai, played at the same the world. time and dominated by *Source: sa20.co.za overseas players – with up Dewald Brevis to nine allowed per starting team, whereas the SA20 only “What the franchises bring from a coaching, permits four. medical and business perspective, all of that Having that essential bond allows for greater expertise can only benefit the game here,” spectator engagement, creating a better says Smith. atmosphere that allows for an improved “South African cricket has never had a problem television product, something the ILT20 doesn’t producing talent and it is now about getting that have because stadiums are largely empty. talent up to a high-performing level – that’s the goal of Betway SA20. It’s about bridging the gap DEVELOPING THE TALENT between domestic cricket and the international The new generation of talent, such as Maphaka, game and producing some new stars, while also Coetzee, Hermann, Dewald Brevis and Tristan helping the national team to start performing Stubbs, will have their development accelerated well at a consistent level moving forward,” in the second season. adds Smith.

DID YOU KNOW?

“SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET HAS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM PRODUCING TALENT AND IT IS NOW ABOUT GETTING THAT TALENT UP TO A HIGH-PERFORMING LEVEL – THAT’S THE GOAL OF BETWAY SA20.” – GRAEME SMITH

FIVE STARS FOR SEASON 2 Jordan Hermann (Sunrisers Eastern Cape). Hermann caught AB de Villiers’ eye in last season’s tournament with some valuable contributions at critical times for the team, which eventually went on to win the competition.

Hermann has flexible wrists, he is a classic off-side player, but, most importantly, the 21 year old is a thoughtful and tough batter.

Rashid Khan (Mumbai Indians Cape Town). Khan blends mesmerising control, devastating changes of pace and excellent variety, making him one of the most impressive bowlers on the T20 circuit. He’s also turned himself into a sublime lower order batter, mimicking MS Dhoni’s famous “helicopter shot”, which he has virtually made his own.

Obed McCoy (Paarl Royals).

A tall left-arm medium pacer from Barbados, McCoy combines good pace with excellent variety, including different slower balls and cutters. He impressed in a five-match series against South Africa two years ago when he picked up nine wickets at an average of just 15.66, while his economy rate was only 7.05.

Anrich Nortje (Pretoria Capitals).

His method is simple, bowl fast and if he gets hit, then bowl faster.

Regularly clocking 150km/h he quickly became a crowd favourite in Centurion where, besides his pace, his moustache captured the imagination.

Quinton de Kock (Durban Super Giants). Having decided to move on from the 50-over format, De Kock is now firmly a T20 specialist. His start at the World Cup, with two centuries against Sri Lanka and Australia, was sensational, and anything close to that in January will delight spectators at Kingsmead.

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HORSE RACING

CAPE USHERS IN ITS RACING RENAISSANCE All roads will lead to Kenilworth in January 2024 as the Mother City hosts two of the country’s most celebrated and prestigious social events, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate Racing Festival and the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.

By HERMAN GIBBS Cape Town will host two major horse-racing events in January.

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he Cape Racing renaissance has come full circle as Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse completes its revamp into a groundbreaking year-round lifestyle destination.

The transformation of the course has been nothing short of remarkable, breathing new life into the much-loved sport of horse racing in the Cape. The vision for the iconic venue is to become a 365-day-a-year, 24/7 lifestyle and entertainment complex where the sport and stakeholders will benefi t, as well as the local community.

“January will be bookended by two thrilling spectacles that celebrate fashion, art and the passion for equestrian excellence in equal measures,” says Cape Racing’s chief operating officer Donovan Everitt.

“South Africa’s most prestigious and longest-standing horse-racing event, the 163 rd annual L’Ormarins King’s Plate, will return to the newly renovated Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 6 January, while the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met will close off the month on 27 January.”

Image: Herman Gibbs

GLITZ AND GLAMOUR “Both events promise world-class racing coupled with out-of-this-world fashion, scrumptious food and live entertainment, and we are excited to showcase the spectacular transformation of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth as a reimagined venue with

upgraded experiences for all our patrons,” adds Everitt.

In Cape Racing’s Summer Season of Champions, there will be an exhilarating masquerade of high fashion, elegance, fabulosity and glamour on offer week after week as the course vies to become Africa’s number one horse-racing destination.

January will start with and bring together the elite of South African horse racing for a celebration of art, passion and equestrian excellence in the famous King’s Plate, known for the sky-blue colours of Drakenstein Stud.

At the tail end of January, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth will host the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met. Historically, it is one of the country’s biggest and most esteemed racing events. The Met’s theme is “Cape Splendour”, a term coined by Cape Racing as a tribute to the rich racing history of Cape Town and a celebration of all the glitz, glamour and glory of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

The stage is set for heart-pounding racing as jockeys vie for supremacy on World Sports Betting Cape Town Met Day, which runs alongside the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship, the Gr1 Majorca Stakes, the Gr3 Western Cape Stayers, the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes and the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes on a bumper day’s racing.

The Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby Seafood and Jazz Festival concludes the Cape’s Summer Festival on Saturday 24 February,

supported by the Gr2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes, the Gr3 Vasco Prix Du Cap, the Gr3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery, and the Listed Jet Master Stakes.

FABULOUS NEW FEATURES Some of the new features at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth include: • state-of-the-art digital screens installed throughout the building and on the course, including one of the largest outdoor screens in the country; • revamped grandstand; • upgraded lounges with food and beverage offerings to suit every taste; and • state-of-the-art sound systems throughout the venue that are designed to uplift the event and racing experience, creating a world-class unparalleled audio-visual experience.

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THE 7 BASIC BETS IN HORSE RACING

THE VISION FOR THE ICONIC VENUE IS TO BECOME A 365-DAY-A-YEAR, 24/7 LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX WHERE THE SPORT AND STAKEHOLDERS WILL BENEFIT, AS WELL AS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. INSIDE SPORT

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POLO Polo is a sociable sport, offering excitement and a good workout.

fast fact

POLO FEVER

Handicaps aren’t expressed by the number of goals a player is expected to score, but rather their value to the team. It’s the opposite to golf. In polo, the maximum handicap is a 10, and -2 for beginners. *Source: SA Polo Association

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hat started as a sport in the rural areas has now become a playground for those in the urban areas. With over 30 polo clubs spread around South Africa, and with numbers totalling some 500 players – and growing – polo is fast shedding its tag as being the domain of the rich and famous.

“Polo is more accessible than people might think,” says Bridget Macduff of the SA Polo Association, the country’s governing body. “The major growth is seen in the urban areas, such as Johannesburg, the East Rand Polo Club, Inanda Polo Club and the polo clubs around Cape Town and the Plettenberg Bay area. This is where the polo schools, run by professionals, are located.

Many people might view the sport as costly, but having it accessible at a school or club where people can rent the horses for beginners to learn the game means that they don’t have to own their own string of horses to learn how to play. And, should they want to take things further after that initial experience, they can,” she says. And, once the bug bites, you stay bitten.

Polo season in the Western Cape is opposite to Gauteng; dry fields are required, so it’s a summer sport in the Cape and a winter one in Gauteng.

INTERNATIONAL APPEAL South Africa’s polo clubs can accommodate international visitors. Tourists visiting the country

fast fact

DID YOU KNOW? Polo can’t be played left-handed.

Players must hold their stick in their right hand due to safety issues.

When tackling a player, one can only approach from the left-hand side of the horse. *Source: SA Polo Association

can find an accessible polo club virtually anywhere around the big cities.

International matches and competitions are also held in South Africa – an annual dust-up between South Africa and India, the Nedbank International, takes place at Inanda Polo Club, Sandton. “It is our biggest event by far,” says Macduff.

“Next year it will be on 11 May. The event is huge and immensely popular with spectators and corporates. It has been staged annually since 1970 and is always a great day out,” she adds.

The most recent version saw South Africa win 7–6, with Alex Watson named player of the match. His team mates then were Johann du Preez (captain), Mike Osborn and Hunter Whittle.

Polo has a tradition of “stomping the divot”, where spectators are allowed onto the field at half-time and replace the divots made by the horses. It’s a popular and engaging moment for the crowd. *Source: SA Polo Association

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PLETT’S GO-TO SPOT FOR POLO Kurland Estate’s The Pavilion is the go-to spot for polo events in Plettenberg Bay, having hosted some major polo events, including the BMW Test Matches, in the past. The Pavilion, an enormous white clubhouse that stretches from one end of the main polo field to the other, has recently undergone a major revamp, completed in time to host the Plett Polo Festival on 29 December.

The Plett Polo Festival will see some exciting international polo matches, including a Ladies international match – The Johnny Walker Plett Ladies versus Zambia – followed by a high-goal match – Plett versus the rest of the world. The day is a “must-do” for locals and visitors looking for a stylish, yet relaxed day away from the beach.

The Plett Polo Festival is a ticket-only event, but other entry-free polo matches are played daily throughout the holiday period – most of them at Kurland Estate.

Pack a picnic, bring the children and enjoy a day of relaxation watching players and horses thundering up and down the fields.

UPCOMING POLO MATCHES

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Image: supplied

Polo has taken off in the country and is increasing in popularity as more and more people discover the thrill of the chase, writes GARY LEMKE

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GOLF

THE SUN IS SHINING ON SOUTH AFRICAN GOLF

Thirston Lawrence

It may not be gushing out the superstars with the regularity it did in days of old, but South African golf’s conveyor belt of talent is still churning out plenty of fantastic future stars, writes JERMAINE CRAIG

S

outh Africa has not been spared the effects of golf’s PGA Tour and LIV Golf divide, and the country’s Sunshine Tour has backed the old established guard in throwing its lot in with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

Unsurprisingly, four of South Africa’s top golfers, 2010 Open winner Louis Oosthuizen, 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester, ditched golf’s establishment for the riches on offer at the Saudi-backed rebel LIV tour, where they compete for the Stingers GC. LIV golfers and participants were barred from the PGA Tour, while the DP World Tour has issued fi nes and suspensions at some of their events.

It’s been largely the reason that, incredulously as of November this year, you had to scroll all the way down to 95 on the World Golf Rankings before spotting the first South African fl ag.

Image: Getty Images/ Andrew Redington/ Staff

TOP SOUTH AFRICAN Thriston Lawrence is currently the top South African on the world rankings. The Nelspruit golfer turned professional in 2014 having fi nally burst onto the scene when winning the 2021 Joburg Open and Omega European Masters and Investec South African Open in 2022 on the DP World Tour.

He was tipped for a huge 2023, but it didn’t quite work out as he struggled on the US PGA Tour.

But his return to European soil made all the difference, as he emulated his hero Ernie Els in winning the massive BMW International Open in Munich, picking up a cool R6.3-million winners’ cheque for his efforts.

Lawrence made his Nedbank Golf Challenge debut last year, an event which this year attracted the likes of US Ryder Cup stars Max Homa and Justin Thomas and recent European Ryder Cup winners Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

It’s some Pilanesberg wanderlust that comes at a good time for South African golf and is a testament to the work done by the Sunshine Tour in continuing to build the sport as a fantastic global advert for the game here.

WORLD-CLASS GOLF AWAITS The Sunshine Tour’s popularity has grown since it made SuperSport its offi cial broadcaster for the season, which came with a bumper calendar and increased prize money and exposure for the tour.

Sunshine Tour commissioner Thomas Abt said recently that he was “very happy with what we’re able to do, which is giving our golfers six co-sanctioned DP World Tour events”.

The six Sunshine Tour events co-sanctioned on the DP World Tour are the Joburg Open at Houghton, the Investec South African Open at the luxurious Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, the Alfred Dunhill Championship at the magnifi cent Leopard Creek, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at the brand new LaReserve Golf Links, which will close out 2023 in grand style as the SDC Championship and the Jonsson Workwear Open await in 2024.

While the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have made overtures to mend their massive rift, South African golf seems to have weathered the storm and is doing quite nicely on its own steam.

Young stars, such as Garrick Hugo, Haydn Porteous, Wilco Nienaber and Jayden Schaper, are the ones to watch on the world stage, as the Sunshine Tour continues to produce quality South African talent.

“This is going to be a summer of unrivalled international golf on Sunshine Tour fairways, with world-class fi elds competing on some of our best courses and for major new incentives,” said a rightly excited Abt.

“THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUMMER OF UNRIVALLED INTERNATIONAL GOLF ON SUNSHINE TOUR FAIRWAYS, WITH WORLD-CLASS FIELDS COMPETING ON SOME OF OUR BEST COURSES AND FOR MAJOR NEW INCENTIVES.” – THOMAS ABT INSIDE SPORT

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MOUNTAIN BIKING

DID YOU KNOW? Since its first event in 2004, the Absa Cape Epic has been staged in over 40 Western Cape towns. *Source: ww.epic-series.com

TORTUOUS TERRAIN

The “amazinG madness” of the Absa Cape Epic JERMAINE CRAIG takes a look at the “Brave the Untamed” Absa Cape Epic – one of the most brutally beautiful mountain bike races in the world

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ext year, the iconic Absa Cape Epic event celebrates its 20th edition. As always, there has been no shortage of sacrifi cial lambs lining up for the torture and the exhilaration of being part of this ultimate test of endurance.

“Eight days of amazing madness” was how the Confederation of African Football’s TV boss, Luxolo September, described his experience of this “beast” of a mountain bike race.

Only 680 two-person teams are allowed to ride this exclusive race each year, with entries for professional and amateur teams snapped up in seconds, months ahead of the race, being held in the Western Cape Winelands from 17 to 24 March 2024.

The Absa Cape Epic is the most televised mountain bike race in the world and the only eight-day mountain bike stage race classed as hors catégorie by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI); with this offi cial UCI status making it a huge highlight on the professional racer’s calendar.

FOR THE SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE EVENT, CYCLISTS WILL HAVE TO CONQUER 16 650m OF CLIMBING PACKED INTO 616km OF RACING AT A RATE OF 27m OF ELEVATION GAIN PER km.

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Image: epic-series.com

The Absa Cape Epic covers demanding, harsh and varied terrain.

Every edition follows a different route, attracting leading aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world. For the special 20th anniversary edition of the event, cyclists will have to conquer 16 650m of climbing packed into 616km of racing at a rate of 27m of elevation gain per km.

From the prologue at the Lourensford Wine Estate to the grand finale in Stellenbosch, every stage is designed to test teams to the limit – and the kicker is that both team members must complete the gruelling race.

The route team takes two years to plan exactly where in South Africa’s rugged Western Cape region riders will test themselves, and this year participants are again guaranteed the challenging traverses of iconic fynbos valleys, majestic mountain ranges, deep ravines, indigenous forests, spectacular coastlines, and flourishing vineyards.

The race certainly gives riders the chance to experience the Western Cape’s most historic and scenic towns off the beaten tourist track, but just how much time they will have to savour their idyllic scenery is debatable.

The organisers promise “terrain as varied as it is harsh – dusty and demanding gravel roads, strenuous rocky climbs, thrilling technical descents, refreshing river crossings and fast forest singletracks”.

It is a full-service race, meaning everything is taken care of from start to finish – and all riders need to think about is riding.

As the race creeps up, those who have committed to it will start asking if they are prepared to brave the untamed. And are they tough enough?

Once they’re in the saddle, there will be nowhere to hide.

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AFCON

Is 2024 the year for Bafana?

NKARENG MATSHE unpacks Broos’ boys chances at Afcon 24

Getty Images/ Jean Catuffe, Gallo Images/ Lefty Shivambu

Images: Supplied, FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images,

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afana Bafana make a return to the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in January, having taken giant strides over the past two years, following the disaster that was the failure to qualify for the 2021 event.

South Africa has been drawn in a tough group that includes 2004 winners Tunisia, 1972 runners-up Mali and perennial minnows Namibia, but Hugo Broos’s men should stand a good chance of making it to the next phase.

That is thanks to the expansion of the competition to 24 teams since 2019 – when Bafana were surprise quarterfinalists – four teams from the six groups advance to the last 16, despite finishing third in their groups.

Broos was grateful to have avoided big guns Senegal, Morocco and hosts Ivory Coast.

“Obviously I am not unhappy when you see the teams in our group,” the Belgian said after the AFCON Final Draw.

“Mali and Tunisia are big teams, but I prefer them to Senegal or Ivory Coast.”

Bafana’s friendly with Ivory Coast on 17 October in Abidjan, which ended in a

Bafana made it to the Ivory Coast out of a three-team group comprising Morocco and Liberia, beating both. It was a vast improvement from the low point of three years ago when they could not get a required draw in Sudan.

Broos has refreshed the team and made them believe they can beat anyone. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has skippered with authority, but Bafana take arguably their most potent attack to a Nations Cup, with Percy Tau, Zakhele Lepasa, Lebo Mothiba and Lyle Foster all having hit form at club level.

There are question marks in defence and midfield, however, but Broos should use the festive season to mull over those.

Bafana surely should get out of their group, but it will get tougher in the next phase, where defending champions Senegal – led by Sadio Mane, should again be favourites, as should the usual big guns Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria and Cameroon.

BROOS HAS REFRESHED THE TEAM AND MADE THEM BELIEVE THEY CAN BEAT ANYONE. AFCON STARS Lyle Foster

1–1 draw, suggested that Broos may have underestimated his team’s capabilities.

Percy Tau The South Africans played with passion inside a packed Felix Houphouet Boigny stadium, silencing the home crowd by taking an early lead.

Admittedly, the pressure from the hosts eventually told in the second period as they found an equaliser.

NOT TO BE DISMISSED However, there was sufficient proof to conclude Bafana will not be pushovers at the tournament in the new year.

After all, they have lost just three matches – to Morocco, France and Ghana – since Broos replaced Molefi Ntseki following the disastrous, failed campaign to qualify for the 2021 event held in Cameroon.

Sebastien Haller (Ivory Coast, 29). Borussia Dortmund attacker Haller only pledged allegiance to the Elephants two years ago – after representing France at junior level – but is already one of their most important players.

Mohammed Kudus (Ghana, 23).

Kudus was the talk of the town when he was in sparkling form for Ajax Amsterdam, before switching to West Ham this year. He’s already netted nine times in 25 games for the Black Stars.

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, 24).

He led Napoli to a first Serie A title in years, scoring an incredible 26 goals last season. He missed the last AFCON in Cameroon due to injury, so will be itching to make his mark in Ivory Coast.

Youseff En-Nesyri (Morocco, 26). He caught the eye as Morocco made a historic World Cup semifinal appearance in Qatar last year, but he has been a consistent performer at club level for Sevilla in LALIGA too.

Ronwen Williams Lebo Mothiba

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EPL

NKARENG MATSHE looks at the EPL’s rising stars

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hile at the very top of his game in the English Premiership, Lyle Foster must be commended and supported for taking a break from the game to care for his mental health.

Foster enjoyed a magical start to life at Burnley in arguably the world’s best league, scoring three goals and providing two assists in six games, although inevitably Burnley has struggled as a newly promoted side.

So it came as a huge shock when Burnley sent out a statement on behalf of Foster and his family, saying: “Lyle let us know that he continues to live with issues around his mental wellbeing and has reached out for help. He is currently in the care of specialists – giving him the support and care he needs to help him back to full health. With the love and support of his family and everyone at Burnley Football Club, we will do all we can to provide everything he needs to get better.”

Bafana coach Hugo Broos is hoping that Foster recovers suffi ciently from his challenging personal situation to take his place for Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast in January 2024, as his presence will give Bafana a massive boost.

Augusto Palacios had no doubt Foster would reach great heights.

The veteran development coach first recruited Foster into the Orlando Pirates Colts when he was a teenager. Today, the striker is setting the English Premiership scene alight in the colours of Burnley.

He joined Vincent Kompany’s team while they were still in the English Championship, on a South African record transfer fee of $7-million (over R162-million) at the beginning of this year, and helped them win promotion.

“I’m not surprised he’s doing so well in such a tough league,” says Palacios, who headed Orlando Pirates’ development structures that nurtured Foster. “I first saw him when he was a small boy, about ten years old, and all the attributes of a top player were there.”

Foster doesn’t have a major footprint on the domestic game, having scored just once for Pirates in the nine games he played before he was surprisingly transferred to Monaco in January 2019. “He went there when he was 18. You must be mentally strong to do that – to live without your family at that age.

NEW SEASON, NEW TALENT Foster, now aged 23, has caught the eye, but the EPL is teeming with similarly prodigious talent months into the new season. One of them is Dejan Kulusevski, also 23, of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Swedish midfi elder arrived from Italian side Parma last year and has been handed a permanent deal after impressing.

Last year’s English Premier League runners-up, Arsenal, have also shored up their defence with promising talent Jurriën Timber, although the 22-year-old Dutchman has since been sidelined by a long-term injury.

Over at Manchester City, the emergence of Jeremy Doku has made them almost forget Riyad Mahrez, who left the club for a money-spinning Saudi Arabia move.

Belgian Doku, 21, has been marauding down the wing with excellence for City, quickly adapting to Pep Guardiola’s high standards.

Another emerging star who’s taken the EPL by storm is Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Hungarian central midfi elder has been a breath of fresh air for the Reds.

THE EPL IS TEEMING WITH SIMILARLY PRODIGIOUS TALENT MONTHS INTO THE NEW SEASON.

Dominik Szoboszlai

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Lyle Foster of Burnley in action during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Burnley FC at Gtech Community Stadium on 21 October 2023 in Brentford, England.

Images: Supplied, gettyimages/ MB Media

PRODIGIOUS TALENT

So this shows his determination to succeed.

He’s quick with his feet and strong aerially,” Palacios comments.

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PADEL AND CYCLING

DID YOU KNOW?

PADEL POWER It’s the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world and now padel is catching on like wildfire in South Africa. By JERMAINE CRAIG

Padel is a mix of tennis and squash and is only played in doubles. The padel is approximately half of a tennis court and is surrounded on all sides by glass and meshed panels.

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frica Padel, a South African-Swedish consortium, has brought the sport – played in over 90 countries and by more than 18 million people worldwide – to Africa.

A fun hybrid between tennis and squash played with tennis balls and special racquets designed for padel, it is a sport that brings together young and old.

Africa Padel is well set to meet its target of having 22 padel clubs and 100 courts up and running nationwide by the end of 2023, with more and more courts springing up and corporates, such as Discovery and Virgin Active, joining the craze. It is a sport that promotes co-ordination, speed, strength and endurance – and it’s certainly been a rapid-fire winner in South Africa.

IT IS A SPORT THAT PROMOTES CO-ORDINATION, SPEED, STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE – AND IT’S CERTAINLY BEEN A RAPID-FIRE WINNER IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Nolan Hoffman winning the 2021 Cape Town Cycle Tour.

Images: istock.com/ Jesus Rodriguez, supplied

GET ON YOUR BIKE AND RIDE If it’s always been on your bucket list, there’s still time to get in your entries for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, shares JERMAINE CRAIG

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he 46th edition of the biggest timed bike race in the world will take place on Sunday, 10 March 2024.

Cape Town is pretty as a picture, and experiencing it by bicycle is one of the best ways to enjoy the sights of the Mother City.

The 109km classic route takes cyclists through the Southern Suburbs, along the False Bay coast and past the penguins of Simon’s Town.

And you’re never old to take up this unique cycling challenge, as the story of Japie Malan attests. Malan was the oldest cyclist to complete the race within the maximum time allowed, seven hours (he was 92 years old at the time), during the 2012 Cycle Tour – on a tandem in a time of 05:49:00.

Malan is the oldest man (90 years old at the time) to complete the race on a single bicycle during the 2010 Cycle Tour in a time of 06:48:52 and, astonishingly, is also the oldest man to have ridden the race for the first time, in 2004 – when he was 84 years old.

For this year’s race, after the Cape Point Nature Reserve, the halfway mark, cyclists cool off in Scarborough and Misty Cliffs before getting their first sight of the world-famous Chapman’s Peak Drive.

The fi nal ascent of the day, Suikerbossie, provides a formidably steep challenge, followed by the descents through the breathtaking Camp’s Bay and Clifton, with the fi nish at Green Point.

“It’s really competitive, but a thoroughly enjoyable game. What makes it interesting is the precision required for your shots. Some plays require placement and others power,” says padel enthusiast Gabriel Soma.

What Soma also enjoys is that it’s a sport you have to play with a partner, “because teamwork is essential, but it makes it very sociable”.

Soma adds: “Of course, the more you play, the better you get, and naturally the bug bites, but, most importantly, it’s an extremely good workout without feeling as if you have done one.”

DID YOU KNOW? The total elevation for the 42km route from start to finish is 600m. *Source: capetowncycletour.com

It’s a sensational day out with up to 35 000 cyclists participating in support of the Cape Town Cycle Tour’s beneficiaries, the Pedal Power Association and the Rotary Club of Claremont.

A new addition to the Cycle Tour is the 42km event – successfully launched in 2023, which will take in the vineyards of Constantia and the Newlands Forest on the cyclists’ return.

“This year’s launch of the 42km route was great for the event,” says Paula Barnard of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust. “It is a wonderful way to experience the festival of cycling the 109km distance offers, and we are looking forward to welcoming even more entries in 2024. It’s a true celebration of cycling in a beautiful city that everyone must join,” says Barnard.

TOP TIP: On the morning of the race, try having your last meal at least two hours before the race to ensure optimum performance.

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THE OUTTAKE

Sowetan sports editor NKARENG MATSHE shares that if there’s one man who could possibly broker a peace deal successfully between the warring factions at Safa and the PSL, it should be Patrice Motsepe

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he man at the top seat of African football, Patrice Motsepe, made an interesting observation recently, lamenting what he called broken relations between football associations and leagues throughout the continent.

His comments followed a standoff triggered by the new competition, the African Football League (AFL), between the Premier Soccer League and the South African Football Association, over accommodating Mamelodi Sundowns’ participation in the eight-team event.

The competition kicked off on 20 October, and on 21 October, Sundowns took on Angola’s Petro Atletico, but not before causing chaos in the domestic schedule as games had to be moved – something which brewed tension between Safa and the PSL, the two bodies always ready to feud over nothing.

Interestingly, Motsepe, although he’s president of the Confederation of African Football, is himself caught in the triumvirate web of the entities. He owns Sundowns and sponsors both Safa through the ABC Motsepe League and the PSL via the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

MOTSEPE, AS SOMEONE IN THE UNIQUE POSITION OF HAVING THE EAR OF BOTH SAFA AND PSL, SHOULD BE STRIVING TO ERASE THESE ABNORMALITIES IN South African FOOTBALL.

Patrice Motsepe

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So if there’s one man who could possibly broker a peace deal successfully between the warring factions at Safa and the PSL, it should be Motsepe.

STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS These two organisations have bickered for years over nonissues, but such bickering has been to the detriment of SA football. Even Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos recently found it strange that relations between the mother body and a special member had deteriorated to such levels.

“When I was in Cameroon, I requested a meeting with the clubs and it was arranged within two weeks. Here, I have had four meetings with the PSL coaches cancelled,” the Belgian lamented.

Now Sundowns almost missed out on the historic, lucrative AFL because, apparently, the PSL felt it was disruptive to their programme and allegedly had not received proper communication from Safa about it.

This is totally unacceptable from the two organisations that should long have harmonised relations that have not recovered from the nadir of a bruising 2009 Safa election. The PSL eventually relented by fi xturing Sundowns’ Carling Cup tie against TS Galaxy on 18 October, allowing them to travel to Angola to face Petro three days later.

But why schedule such an important cup fi xture in the middle of a FIFA week when one team has seven players on international duty?

Kudos to Sundowns for agreeing to play despite the absence of so many stars.

The league will not beat allegations of bias and conflict of interest with this kind of double standard. They agreed in August to reschedule a Moroka Swallows versus Orlando Pirates fi xture because the latter was only returning to the country from a CAF obligation a day before.

Motsepe, as someone in the unique position of having the ear of both Safa and PSL, should be striving to erase these abnormalities in South African football.

He has no business complaining in press conferences when he should be telephoning Danny Jordaan and Irvin Khoza to call them to order.

After all, his position as CAF president means he can exert powers without being accused of interfering.

Image: Supplied

PLEASE BROKER PEACE TALKS, MR MOTSEPE

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