Latest news with #Cape-based
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ackermann joins the Stormers ahead of 2025/26 season
The hard-working flanker will bring a wealth of experience to the Cape side after spending eight years playing in Europe. Former Lions and Gloucester loose forward, Ruan Ackermann, has returned to South Africa and will next play for the Stormers. The 29-year-old will be available for the Cape-based side from the start of the 2026/26 season, which means he's set to feature in the next instalment of the United Rugby Championship. Ackermann, son of former Bok and Lions coach Johan, played for the Lions senior team straight out of high school between 2015 and 2017 before joining Gloucester, where he played for eight years. In that time he qualified to play for England. In total he made 172 appearances for the English club. He has also played for the Barbarians and featured for the SA 'A' team in 2017. Ackermann joins the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach and Ntuthuko Mchunu on a growing list of exciting new signings ahead of next season. 'Proven performer' Director of Rugby John Dobson said that he is delighted to secure Ackermann's services for several reasons. 'Ruan is a proven performer who puts in the kind of hard work that our game model requires. Our fans can expect complete commitment from him for every minute he spends in our jersey,' said Dobson. 'We are very excited to see the impact he will make here and I'm confident that he will become a firm favourite at Cape Town Stadium.' Ackermann said that he cannot wait to get to Cape Town and link up with his new teammates. 'The support for rugby in Cape Town is second to none and there are obviously some incredible players and coaches there, so I am looking forward to what should be an exciting new journey for me and my family. 'I'm ready to give everything I have to the cause and make a positive contribution in any way I can as part of what will be a strong squad next season,' he said.
The Citizen
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Simelane and Dixon to continue careers with the Stormers
Simelane has extended his contract, while Dixon's contractual dispute has also been resolved. Exciting centre prospect Wandisile Simelane has signed a contract extension with the Stormers, while Springbok loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon's contractual dispute with the Western Province Rugby Union has been resolved. Simelane, who joined the Cape-based team from the Lions in the early part of last year, will continue to play for the Stormers for the foreseeable future after impressing in the midfield during this last season's United Rugby Championship campaign. 'Looking forward to seeing where this team can go' Director of Rugby at the Stormers, John Dobson, said he was looking forward to seeing Simelane continue to grow and develop in the Cape. 'Wandi has got incredible natural talent which has marked him as a dangerous player from a young age. What we have been particularly impressed with is his willingness to learn and develop his game,' Dobson said. 'He has an incredibly high ceiling and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do and add to our team going forward.' Simelane said that the decision to extend his contract was an easy one given the unique environment in Cape Town. 'At the Stormers, players are encouraged to express themselves and make the most of their abilities. 'I feel that I have grown as a player since moving here and I'm looking forward to seeing where this team can go,' he said. Ben-Jason Dixon, centre, will continue to play for the Stormers. Picture: Gallo Images Dixon matter resolved Dixon meanwhile will continue to play for the Stormers until the end of the 2027 season following the end of an arbitration process this week. Dixon sought arbitration to resolve a particular clause in his contract, which runs until June 2027. The independent process found Dixon's contract is binding, with no revisions applicable. Dixon said that with the matter now resolved, he is looking forward to making an impact on the field once again. The loose forward made his Springbok debut last season, but has suffered a few setbacks this year due to injuries. 'I'm really grateful that both sides had the chance to bring everything to the table through arbitration and get clarity going forward. With this behind us, I'm looking forward to getting back to doing what I love … giving my best for the Stormers.'
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Bid to silence a blogger's running reviews on the Two Oceans Marathon failed in court
PLAN ACCORDINGLY The head of the Two Oceans Marathon failed with her bid to gag a blogger, whose focus is on the country's major marathons, after he made certain allegations the popular Cape-based road running event. Picture: Ian Landsberg/ Independent Media Image: Ian Landsberg/ Independent Media THE Gauteng High Court dismissed the urgent application aimed at silencing a runner and blogger who has raised concerns about irregularities in major races, specifically the Two Oceans Marathon. The ruling underscored the tensions between race management and public accountability in South Africa's running community. Antoinette Cavanagh, chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon, who approached the court for relief, and directed her application at Stuart Mann, the author behind the blog The Running Mann, who has drawn attention to what he describes as "irregularities" in various running events, including the Two Oceans and the renowned Comrades Marathon. In court, Cavanagh claimed that Mann's online commentary contained defamatory statements, particularly focusing on four posts he shared on social media. Among them was a December article questioning her suitability to chair the board of the Two Oceans, which highlighted discrepancies between the credentials she publicly presented and those Mann verified. In his December 2025 "expose", Mann queries whether Cavanagh is an appropriate person to chair the board of the Two Oceans. He set out apparent inconsistencies between her professional and running credentials as set out in a press release announcing her election on the one hand, and those details of her credentials which Mann was able to verify on the other hand. In April this year he dealt with certain controversies that emerged during the 2025 iteration of the Two Oceans, including a shortage of bronze medals, which Mann contends was due to Two Oceans accepting more entries than it had a permit for. He also insinuated that she has the board completely under her thumb, as well as publishing her CV which served before the board when she was elected chair. Cavanagh, in claiming the publications are defamatory and unlawful, wanted Mann to remove them and publish an apology. She also wanted an order preventing future publication of similar content. Mann disputed the urgency of the application and denied that the content of the posts is defamatory or otherwise unlawful. Judge Seena Yacoob commented that the 'chaotic' and 'vague' manner in which the application is pleaded does not commend itself to determination on an urgent basis, but she agreed to hear it on an urgent basis. She said both Cavanagh and the Two Oceans Marathon (cited as the second applicant) fail to set out a clear factual background. In addition, the judge said, the applicant's papers contain neither the dates of the publications, nor the specific statements or utterances complained of. Cavanagh, however, said that she considers each publication defamatory in its entirety. Judge Yacoob further noted that the publications consist of much material which is either not obviously defamatory, or not defamatory at all. 'Neither of the applicants have made out a case that the esteem in which they are held is of a particular type. Cavanagh does not favour the court with her own full history nor does she demonstrate that she is viewed with any particular esteem or that she has a reputation for integrity and good leadership.' The judge added that the Two Oceans does not contend that it has run its events in a manner reasonably beyond criticism and above board. It does not even contend, let alone attempt to demonstrate that it has conducted its events lawfully and in a manner compliant with its permits from the City of Cape Town. 'There is no attempt to demonstrate that any of the factual claims made in the publications is untrue, although there is a bald allegation that they are all false,' Judge Yacoob said in turning down the application.
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Godzille enters the fray: Let the local government elections games begin
That's not my opinion, but that of ChatGTP, responding to my question as to what would happen to a municipality if a toxic leader were to parachute in and take over. And the 'toxic' label was also not attached by this writer but by former Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba. 'When a toxic leader from outside takes over the mayoral position in a municipality, the effects can ripple through nearly every aspect of local governance and community life.' Of course, the paratrooper leader in question is none other than DA Federal Chair Helen Zille, otherwise known as Godzille to those who view her as a political version of that fearful half-gorilla-half-whale fictional monster. And this isn't just a dream – or a nightmare for those scared of her – it can actually happen in a matter of months. The Cape-based never-say-die disruptor can easily move in with her sister or someone like that, and qualify as a resident of the once-shiny City of Gold. Dealing with the party's primaries – the mayoral candidate screening and interviews – would be a breeze. I wouldn't be surprised to see her smiling assassin face on the ballot paper and the street posters. And with her GNU wheeling and dealing experience, she can easily take over the hot seat – depending, of course, on what the people say during the upcoming elections. The crumbling city that is still Mzansi's economic hub does indeed require some drastic shake-up, but I fear Godzille would shake it beyond repair. But let's all just watch and see – especially those of us watching from a distance but with hopes of seeing the rot come to a stop and things turn around.
The South African
04-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Springboks (Signings & Exits): SEVEN player movements
A total of seven Springboks are linked with big moves both IN and OUT of South Africa. Being a Springboks rugby player certainly has it's perks. Following back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories, Bok stars are now even more sought-after than ever before. So, Let's take a look at the capped Springboks linked with big moves to new clubs both in and out of SA. Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach and Marvin Orie are all set to return home. Back to South Africa. The Rugby World Cup winning Springboks trio are all involved with massive deals with local United Rugby Championship outfits. Namely, the Bulls and Stormers. Pollard has signed a huge deal that will see him return to the Bulls next season. Meanwhile, Reinach has signed a deal with John Dobson's Stormers. He will start playing for the Cape-based side at the start of the 2025/26 season. Finally, Orie is set to join the Bulls next season. Meanwhile, Edwill Van Der Merwe has signed for the Sharks ahead of next season. Manie Libbok, Joseph Dweba and Herschel Jantjies are all set to leave the Stormers and SA at the end of the season. 'Scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Paul de Wet are heading to Bayonne in France and the Bulls respectively, while hooker Joseph Dweba departs for English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs, ' the insider stated on The Citizen. Meaning, three capped Boks are set to start new ventures abroad. Libbok has been linked with a sabbatical and a potential loan move to Japan. Meanwhile, both Dweba and Jantjies are going to ply their trade abroad next season. 'Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok, with Director of Rugby John Dobson confirming after the Glasgow loss that he was on his way out with the others, but with no confirmation on what sort of deal,' he added. However, Libbok will likely be loaned out and come back to the Stormers. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
