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IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springboks dominate Barbarians, but Rassie Erasmus calls for improvement ahead of Italy Tests
SPRINGBOK players Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Vincent Tshituka held their own against the Barbarians in Cape Town. | AYANDA NDAMANE/Independent Newspapers Image: AYANDA NDAMANE/Independent Newspapers Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says they won't get too carried away with their rout of the Barbarians, but he was happy with the platform they laid in a rainy DHL Stadium on Saturday evening to start their season with a 54-7 rout of the visitors. The world champions showed their mettle and were absolutely dominant in the second half to put eight tries past their opponents to claim a famous victory over the invitational side. With it, they won the ninth encounter between them and drew level with wins in the first-ever clash on South African soil. Both sides have won four, while one duel ended in a draw. Despite the wet Cape Town conditions, rain fell right through the clash, and Erasmus' troops acquitted themselves well of their task. For most of the match, they looked sharp on the attack, and defensively they kept the Baabaas out to only concede a try in the dying minutes of the duel. 'I am happy about the win, but there are lots for us to work on,' Erasmus said in his post-match interview. 'To keep them only to seven points and us getting to the score we had, we are happy with that, and no injuries were picked up. Some guys got a hit-out today who haven't played for a while. Other guys do not have a lot of caps. We are glad we came through it. 'For the Barbarians, this was probably the worst conditions to play in. We had to keep some structure, so overall it was satisfying, and now the Test matches start.'
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
PSL must do much better next season after disruptive campaign
Shauwn Mkhize Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize saw her club expelled from the Premiership. Photo: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media Image: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media Final Whistle Column The teething problems were there even before the season officially got underway, but the masses held their breath, hoping for everything to fall into place. But it wasn't to be. The PSL was brought about disrepute throughout the season, so much so that there'll be better expectations next season. Perhaps the fact that the majority of the fans are not rating the design of the new Premiership trophy by Nelson Makamo sums up this season. Makamo was heavily criticised for his design when the new cup was unveiled last Sunday, with naysayers linking it with the infamous hookah pipes. Betway Squad 📣📣📣 The moment you have been waiting for 🔥🔥🔥 The Betway Premiership Trophy 🏆 Phakamisa izandla Bazalwane 🎉🎉🎉#BetwayPrem #BetwayPremTrophy — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) May 18, 2025 Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The renowned designer tried to justify himself, saying that he got the idea for the trophy through his ancestors as he wanted to produce something iconic. But the football masses, including yours truly, are having none of that, as his instinctive design didn't align with football heritage often portrayed through silverware. Makamo, also, is just unfortunate that he has suddenly become a sacrificial lamb as some of us have been there even before the start to see the signs of a ticking bomb. The multi-billion rand Premiership was initially shaken when broadcasting giants DStv pulled out as the main sponsor of top-flight football at the 11th hour amid financial struggles. That all but forced PSL head honcho Irvin Khoza to find an immediate solution, and thanks to his impeccable leadership, it wasn't long that the product attracted interest. In the end, though, it was betting heavyweights Betway that won the bid of being the league's main sponsor, changing how some people viewed sports betting. But that wouldn't deter the overall feeling that Khoza had hit a jackpot by bringing Betway on board, given their vast financial power and growth over the years. Betway and the PSL, however, said, at the time, that they were not yet ready to reveal the championship trophy as they were still in discussion with a few top designers for expert input. In the end, it was Makamo that won the bid. The revered designer got a lot of stick from the masses after his masterpiece wasn't deemed worth it for a football competition. Betway Squad 📣📣📣 The moment you have been waiting for 🔥🔥🔥 The Betway Premiership Trophy 🏆 Phakamisa izandla Bazalwane 🎉🎉🎉#BetwayPrem #BetwayPremTrophy — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) May 18, 2025 But be that as it may, the PSL's season was already rocked, largely due to the expulsion of Royal AM, whose season had to be declared null and void. Royal AM brought the league into disrepute after the club's president, Shauwn Mkhize, owed money to SARS, resulting in the curator taking over assets, including the football club. And with Mkhize unable to pay the curator the sum of R40 million, that led to the curator putting up the club for sale, resulting in the no payments as the PSL also froze grants. And after no entity successfully bought Royal AM early this year, the PSL Board of Governors had no choice but to vote in favour of the expulsion of Thwihli Thwahla. It was a dark time for those who were under the payroll of the club, but not its owners and the management team, as they brought the league into disrepute from the outset. When Royal AM joined the elite league, they made a mockery of its professionalism, paying player bonuses on the pitch, fighting with fellow officials and turning stands into parties. And so their questionable deeds finally caught up with the club, but it's unfortunate that it was at the expense of the league and its stakeholders, Betway and Nedbank. And we've done it🏆 — Durban City FC (@DurbanCity_FC) May 18, 2025 Right now, there's a pending case regarding the improper registration of Sifiso Magawana by NFD log leaders Durban City, hence their automatic promotion has been put on pause. It is not the first time that the PSL have been embroiled in a promotion saga related due to improper registration, so that's a story for another day. But overall, it's been a disruptive season for the PSL in the top-flight, so expectations will be rife for things to improve significantly next season.
