logo
Jan Serfontein returns to the Bulls as Springboks make their way back to Loftus

Jan Serfontein returns to the Bulls as Springboks make their way back to Loftus

IOL News08-07-2025
While Jake White has been booted out of Loftus Versfeld, his dream of more Springboks moving back to the Bulls is becoming a reality.
On Tuesday, the Bulls announced the return of veteran centre Jan Serfontein and Springbok Marvin Orie to the Pretoria kraal.
Serfontein, who had been on the books of French side Montpellier since 2017, has signed an initial three-year contract with Bulls. The Grey College alumnus made more than 147 appearances since the 2017 season for Montpellier after leaving the Bulls. Before his departure, the Springbok centre earned 48 caps for the Pretoria side, scoring 15 tries from 45 starts.
Serfontein will link up with former teammate, Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard, who also recently returned to Pretoria after stints with Montpellier and the Leicester Tigers in England.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Who will steer the R55bn marriage of MultiChoice and Canal+?
Who will steer the R55bn marriage of MultiChoice and Canal+?

Daily Maverick

time7 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Who will steer the R55bn marriage of MultiChoice and Canal+?

There's a new power couple in African media. After nearly five years of courting, Canal+ has finally put a ring on MultiChoice to form a pan-African content colossus with global ambitions. French media titan Canal+ has secured the final go-ahead to acquire MultiChoice in a landmark R55-billion deal. After years of quiet manoeuvring and regulatory hurdles, the merger is now a question of who controls what. The Competition Tribunal's conditional approval, granted late last week, closes the chapter on a five-year 'creeping takeover' and opens a new era in African broadcasting. Now it's a balancing act weighing foreign capital with national sovereignty on a digital scale with local content. Enter the media monarchy In return for its princely sum, Canal+, owned by the French conglomerate Vivendi, gets access to MultiChoice's 14.5 million Anglophone and Lusophone subscribers, the DStv powerhouse, sports juggernaut SuperSport, and a foothold in streaming via Showmax. MultiChoice, facing rising costs and subscriber declines, finds itself rescued by a suitor with deep pockets and pan-African ambition. Combined, the merged entity will serve more than 24 million subscribers across 50 countries — instantly becoming the largest pay-TV and streaming provider on the continent. However, if Canal+ was hoping for free access, South African regulators had other plans. The deal's approval came wrapped in layers of red tape — not as a deterrent, but as a deliberate design feature. Transformation goals Central to the regulatory conditions is the creation of LicenceCo, an independent company that will hold MultiChoice South Africa's broadcast licence. It will be majority-owned and controlled by historically disadvantaged South Africans and employees. Crucially, Canal+ has no control and no board seats. This structural firewall protects South Africa's legal requirements around media ownership, ensures transformation goals are met and serves as a template for foreign investment in other sensitive sectors. Phuthuma Nathi, the B-BBEE shareholder darling, increases its economic interest in LicenceCo to 27%, with a new employee trust added. The licence, and the local airwaves it governs, stay South African. The R30bn lobola The Competition Tribunal didn't just demand structural separation; it also extracted a commitment package valued at more than R30-billion. This includes: A three-year moratorium on retrenchments linked to the merger; Significant investment in local content production, sports broadcasting, SMME procurement and Corporate Social Investment programmes; Ongoing free-to-air broadcast access for key sporting events, safeguarding the public's ability to view major matches without a subscription; and Local skills development through Canal+'s 'University Programme', to train historically disadvantaged individuals in broadcasting and production. In a media environment where Netflix and Amazon Prime are increasingly dominant, this local-first approach is designed to future-proof South African media. Showmax, SuperSport and scale Behind the regulatory muscle lies a clear commercial imperative. MultiChoice has struggled in recent years, shedding 2.8 million linear subscribers and burning cash to prop up Showmax 2.0, its streaming reboot built on Comcast tech and bolstered by NBC Universal's 30% equity stake. Canal+ brings financial stability and scale. It also inherits Irdeto, MultiChoice's profitable cybersecurity unit, and Showmax's potential to become Africa's answer to global streamers. Vivendi, Canal+'s parent company, views this merger as critical to its own transformation and part of a plan to split into three listed entities, with Canal+ as its global growth engine. Listing Canal+ on the JSE within nine months of deal completion is a further nod to local inclusion, visibility, and capital market confidence. The shiny ring can't cover controversial holes While South Africa celebrates a structurally sound deal with tangible local benefits, not all observers are convinced. Critics warn that Canal+'s track record and the Bolloré Group's 30.4% stake in it come with baggage. Vivendi's past includes one of the largest corporate losses in history and regulatory infractions that still cast a shadow. Vincent Bolloré, the billionaire behind the curtain, faces corruption charges in France and has been accused of turning Canal+'s French media outlets into right-wing political mouthpieces. With Canal+ now embedded in South Africa's broadcasting ecosystem, some fear creeping influence over editorial independence, particularly if there are future attempts to deepen ownership or control beyond the current firewall. Marriage isn't buying a horse Mergers are easy to announce but hard to manage. However, the competition bodies have played their hand cleverly — extracting commitments, safeguarding jobs and setting a precedent for how global capital must behave when it enters South Africa's strategic sectors. The long-term test lies ahead. Can Showmax truly compete with Netflix? Can SuperSport keep its sports crown as global streamers outbid for rights? Will LicenceCo be a transformative force or a regulatory box-ticker? Will Canal+ respect the firewall, or try to chip away at it over time? The merged entity is now king of the hill in African broadcasting, but it's a kingdom that won't run on size alone. Trust, execution and transformation will be the currencies of success. DM

Beefy Bartho Hlekani can fill a big hole for Lions after injury blow against the Sharks in Currie Cup
Beefy Bartho Hlekani can fill a big hole for Lions after injury blow against the Sharks in Currie Cup

IOL News

time14 hours ago

  • IOL News

Beefy Bartho Hlekani can fill a big hole for Lions after injury blow against the Sharks in Currie Cup

Angelo Davids of the Lions scores, despite the attentions of Phiko Sobahle of the Sharks at Emirates Airline Park this past weekend. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Lions' handsome 46-5 Currie Cup victory over the Sharks came at a cost, with flank Izan Esterhuizen suffering a serious injury. However, this setback could be offset by the timely arrival of burly Bathobele Hlekani, a Junior Springbok who made a huge impact in Italy. Hlekani has been with the Sharks but, curiously, has slipped out of their net. His signature is a significant coup for a Lions squad that usually sees players going the other way — to Durban, as has been the recent case with Springbok Edwill van der Merwe and Emmanuel Tshituka. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Hlekani was one of three players from the victorious Junior Bok side at the World U20 Championship to be invited to train with the Springboks. Lions coach Mzwakhe Nkosi said they would like Hlekani to join them pronto. 'Izan's injury looks like a season-ender,' Nkosi said. 'We will try and get Batho to Joburg sooner rather than later. Yeah, he's probably out for the season, so we have to scramble hard. I just spoke to the CEO; we will have to source another openside flanker as soon as possible,' the coach added. The Lions outclassed a Sharks side that was packed with newcomers. With ball in hand, Bathobele Hlekani drives forward, a formidable force who will soon bring his Junior Springbok power and talent to the Lions' pack. Photo: World Rugby Image: World Rugby 'I wouldn't say we were a more experienced side, but we are probably more settled,' Nkosi said. 'Nico Steyn just turned 22, and Jarrod Cairns has only just turned 23. SJ Kotze is still 21; RF Schoeman hasn't turned 22 yet. We are probably a whole lot more settled than JP's team (Pietersen's). When SJ came on, I thought he made a difference.' 'I am happy with the level of performance,' Nkosi continued. 'We were a bit apprehensive. We haven't played a game. The Pumas have played two or three, Griquas have played, and Province have played two. "So, we and the Bulls have gone in cold. We were nervous. So it's good that we got the cobwebs out, and also that we got a result like we got.' Nkosi praised the performances of Angelo Davids and Rabs Maxwane, who were constant threats on attack. Davids has joined the Lions from the Stormers. 'If you can have guys like Angelo and Rabs on the edges, you want to get the ball to them sooner rather than later. That's who we are and how we want to play. "Angelo will hit his straps. He must have had three games in two seasons. He has been frustrated; his game hasn't improved at the trajectory that he would have liked. "So, hopefully, before the start of the URC, he can get to a place where he can compete. And obviously, there is a vacancy with the departure of Edwill van der Merwe, so hopefully, he can put his hand up to stake a claim in that URC team.'

Chamberlain shines as Bulls dominate Currie Cup opener
Chamberlain shines as Bulls dominate Currie Cup opener

IOL News

time15 hours ago

  • IOL News

Chamberlain shines as Bulls dominate Currie Cup opener

Boeta Chamberlain of the Bulls orchestrated a dominant performance in their Currie Cup victory over Western Province. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo has lauded flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain for his pivotal performance in the Bulls' emphatic 48-23 victory over Western Province at the Cape Town Stadium at the weekend. Chamberlain has had a challenging time at the Bulls since joining them from the Sharks, struggling for game time in the United Rugby Championship. However, in the Currie Cup opener, he shrugged off the rust, expertly guiding the Bulls to a six-try win. Scrumhalf Zak Burger and Number 8 Jeandré Rudolph each contributed two tries. Chamberlain was flawless with his kicking, converting all eight attempts at goal – six conversions and two penalties. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'The last time Boeta started a game was about five months ago, and to come out and put in a performance like he did, I'm sure he'll be incredibly chuffed,' Nomlomo said. 'That bravery to keep pushing the boundary – that was class.' Nomlomo expressed particular pride in his team's first-half performance, which saw them lead 38-16 at the break. 'We were clinical,' he stated. 'That's where everything started. I think when you're up against the blue machine and it's going like that, it is a bit difficult to play against. Province were incredibly gutsy, but their discipline didn't help them at all and probably killed the game for them.' The home team suffered three first-half sin-bins, with captain Zain Davids and locks Gary Porter and Alex Groves all receiving yellow cards for breakdown infringements. At one point, Western Province struggled to scrummage due to a lack of locks on the field. This week, the Bulls will host a Sharks side still reeling from a significant defeat by the Lions at Ellis Park.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store