Latest news with #SaintsSportsFest
The Citizen
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Boktown brings fans face to face with Springbok spirit at historic Barbarians clash
Boktown brings fans face to face with Springbok spirit at historic Barbarians clash Local fans will gather to watch the Springboks face the Barbarians for the first time on SA soil at the Wanderers Oval in Johannesburg on June 28. Castle Lager Boktown is a travelling fan park series that brings the full Springbok match-day atmosphere to supporters nationwide. Locals can enjoy a stop featuring a giant-screen broadcast, SA music, appearances by former Boks, family zones and partner activations. This will create a festive and safe space for fans to celebrate the green and gold. SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said, 'Castle Lager Boktown carries that heartbeat into towns and cities across the country, giving supporters a front-row view and offering partners a platform to enrich the Springbok story.' ALSO READ: Development rugby takes centre stage at Saints SportsFest day 4 Set up as a full-scale festival, supporters can expect live performances by GoodLuck, Shekhinah and the 4am Band, food markets, appearances by current and former Springboks and activations from official Springbok partners. 'Boktown turns every Test into a nationwide gathering,' said Thomas Lawrence, the Castle Lager brand director. 'From the anthem to the final whistle, we want fans shoulder to shoulder, singing, cheering and making memories. 'With our partners on board, we've packed the day with music, legends and family fun so everyone goes home smiling,' he added. The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said this should be something that unites communities regardless of race. He emphasised that sport is one of the few things that brings people together. First event details: Event: Castle Lager Boktown; Date: Saturday, June 28; Venue: Wanderers Oval, Johannesburg; Early-bird tickets: From R80; Gates open: Noon; Big-screen kick-off: 17:00. Boktown stops in 2025: June 28: Springboks vs Barbarians – Johannesburg; July 5: Springboks vs Italy – Bloemfontein; July 12: Springboks vs Australia – Witbank; August 16: Springboks vs Australia – Nelspruit; August 23: Springboks vs Australia – Durban; August 23: Springboks vs Australia – Soweto; September 27: Springboks vs Argentina – Nylstroom; October 4: Argentina vs Springboks – Pretoria; November 8: France vs Springboks – Boland; November 22: Ireland vs Springboks – Benoni. Tickets can be purchased on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Diepkloof sensei officiates top regional karate event
Diepkloof's very own sensei, Thabo Molubi of the Kofukan South Africa Karate Team, has once again made the township proud. This time, he represented the country as a referee at the SADC Region South Karate Championships, held in Durban from May 23 to 25. This annual tournament is one of the most prestigious karate events in the Southern African region. Last year, it was hosted in Swakopmund, Namibia. 'This year, the championships were originally set to take place in Botswana, but due to logistical challenges, the event was relocated to Durban, South Africa,' said Sensei Molubi. ALSO READ: Saint Stithians' Saints SportsFest closes with a bang 'The tournament attracts karatekas from across the SADC region, including Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho.' More than 500 karate athletes participated, and Durban's shores welcomed tourists and supporters from all across Southern Africa. Molubi was selected by Karate South Africa to serve as a technical official and referee. He also holds a position on the SADC Region South Referees Commission, by virtue of his role as Chairman of the Referees Commission for Karate South Africa. ALSO READ: Development rugby takes centre stage at Saints SportsFest day 4 'During the first two days, we conducted referee and coach courses and managed the weigh-ins for all athletes. I was honoured to be appointed as a Tatami Manager for the actual competition,' he shared. Molubi noted the high standard of competition and the fierce determination shown by all participating countries. 'Saturday was dedicated mainly to kata events, followed later by children's kumite. South African athletes performed exceptionally well, winning most of the kata divisions,' he added. The energy in the venue was electric, with spectators—particularly parents—turning out in large numbers to cheer on the athletes and support the event's positive cause. The South African senior women's team triumphed over Angola in the finals, securing a gold medal and a trophy. The senior men's team also claimed victory against Angola in a tightly contested final match, winning by a narrow point margin. South Africa closed the championships with an outstanding performance, finishing with 56 gold, 43 silver and 56 bronze medals. This brought the country's total to an impressive 155 medals. ALSO READ: It's a wrap for day 3 of St Stithians sports festival 'I felt truly proud to represent South Africa and my township of Diepkloof,' said Molubi. 'I encourage all parents to get their children involved in sport. It opens doors and creates opportunities for the youth. Anyone interested in joining our Kofukan South Africa Karate Team is welcome to contact me at 079 921 3600.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Dunvegan Primary unveils new multi-purpose sports courts
Dunvegan Primary School officially opened its multi-purpose courts on May 24. The event was held in conjunction with the school's open day and its winter sports day, which featured soccer and netball. The school's deputy principal, Graeme Mitchley, said having an open day on the same day was 'great' for the parents visiting the school to witness all the activities. ALSO READ: Local sportswoman breaks barriers in cricket umpiring The school previously had three netball courts, but they were in poor condition. 'We've also decided to incorporate the official opening of the multi-purpose courts on the day. We were considering either resurfacing them or providing courts that could be used for multiple sports — that's why we call them multi-purpose courts. 'We also wanted a different surface to allow for various line markings. 'These courts are now suitable for netball, soccer, and hockey, and can also be used by the learners for PE during the day,' said Mitchley. The three courts will now serve multiple functions. Additionally, the previous netball courts didn't have fencing around them. With the new fencing, the courts now allow proper games to be played safely. The earlier courts lacked sides or netting, but with the new improvements, three teams can simultaneously play on the courts. Richard Laidley, the school principal, said sport at school level was crucial. 'It's about developing the whole child, not just one aspect such as culture or academics, but all of these together. Sport adds that extra element. 'The multi-purpose courts also have the advantage that even if they get wet, players can still utilise them. Grass can become too wet to play on, but these courts remain usable all year round.' ALSO READ: Saint Stithians' Saints SportsFest closes with a bang The revamp of the courts was made possible through school fees paid by the parents. 'I think it's nice for the parents to see their money being well spent. For me, the most important thing is that these courts will benefit every single child at the school, from Grade One to Grade Seven,' added Mitchley. The School Governing Body chairperson, Khakhu Muthaphuli, described the event as a flagship day for the school. She said this is something the school looks forward to every year. 'New parents who have heard about Dunvegan are curious and fascinated. They come to our open day, walking the grounds and asking questions. Sometimes I join in to see the vibrancy and curiosity. 'The school has a very good reputation — it is well-maintained and well-run, which we are very proud of,' said Muthaphuli. ALSO READ: Development rugby takes centre stage at Saints SportsFest day 4 'This day is very significant because we are also officially opening our multi-purpose courts. We hope there will be plenty of games, many memories made, and friendships built here. 'Across this whole field, there are over six sporting areas available, and we are very proud of that. As parents, we are proud of the teachers and management of the school, as well as our learners,' she added. She also thanked the parents for their contributions. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Diggers outplayed by ruthless Wits attack
The Diggers Rugby Club senior team faced a tough afternoon on their home ground as they were outclassed by Wits University's senior side, who walked away with an emphatic 85–7 victory on the day. From the opening whistle, it was clear that the visitors meant business, applying early pressure and taking full control of the game. Read more: North Riding rugby star shares recovery tips Wits were quick to make their mark, scoring two converted tries to take a 14–0 lead within the first few minutes. Their attacking play was swift, sharp, and difficult to contain. Diggers struggled to keep up with the pace, often caught off guard by Wits' well co-ordinated movements and quick passes. The standout performance of Wits' left lock Kgoposto Matlena, who scored two quick tries, widened the gap even further. Diggers had no response to the visitors' smooth and structured gameplay. By halftime, Wits were firmly in charge, with a 28–0 lead. The second half followed the same pattern, with Wits picking up right where they left off. Their right centre Keith Chirwa added two more tries to his name as Wits' attack continued to slice through the Diggers' defence. At one point, the scoreboard showed a staggering 71–0 in favour of the visiting side. Spectators could be heard chanting, 'Give us 90!', reflecting the confidence and excitement surrounding the dominant performance. Wits full back Latica Nela commented on the teams performance. 'For the first time in a while it was a good, holistic performance. Of course, it was a bit of a loose game and I think we adapted to that. We would still like to see the boys put in a bit of structure against the bigger teams.' Though the match was clearly beyond their reach, Diggers kept pushing and were finally rewarded with a consolation try. It was a small moment of joy in an otherwise forgettable outing. The match ended 85–7, a result that will likely prompt some serious reflection within the Diggers camp. Also read: Heronbridge College rugby star eyes professional career path Diggers' first team rugby coach Kane Mavrodaris expressed his disappointment with the team's performance. 'We knew we were the underdogs going into this game, and it felt like we didn't deal very well with their ball movement. We didn't trust each other on defence and let each other down a little bit' For Wits, the match was a clear display of their attacking depth, fitness, and discipline. Their ability to control the game from start to finish made it one of their most commanding performances yet. As for Diggers, they will look to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and come back stronger in their next fixture. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Development rugby takes centre stage at Saints SportsFest day 4 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Talented twins make Gauteng netball team
Constantia Kloof — Dynamic duo Gracia and Michelle Ojiadazie were selected for the U13 Gauteng Netball Team and will participate in the upcoming South African Schools Netball (SASN) All Ages Tournament at Hoërskool EG Jansen at the end of June. The senior players have proved themselves on the court, competing against other players in both the D12 district and inter-district trials where they competed outside their comfort zone. ALSO READ: Development rugby takes centre stage at Saints SportsFest day 4 The head coach at Constantia Kloof Primary School, Adri van Wyk, praised the girls for their consistency during the trials, practice sessions and league matches, also adding that the girls have the potential to play in a higher performance league. 'I started coaching the girls at U11, and I have seen so much progress, both physically and mentally. 'There is still a lot of work to be done, but with the current league matches taking place and added training sessions for the Gauteng team, this can help them prepare for the upcoming tournament. Their teammates are so excited and super supportive,' said Adri. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
