Table of contents for 2023-12-14 in Star

AS WE FIND ourselves on the cusp of a new year, it is both a pleasure and an honour to extend warm greetings and heartfelt wishes to each of you. As the Executive Editor of Business Report & Personal Finance, I am filled with gratitude for the trust you have placed in us throughout the year. 2023 has been a year of challen- ges, growth, and resilience. In the ever- evolving landscape of business and finance, your unwavering support has been the driving force behind our com- mitment to delivering accurate, in- sightful, and relevant content. We take pride in being your trusted source for news and analysis in the world of business. To our dedicated readers, thank you for choosing Business Report & Personal Finance as your go-to platform…

Plant availability has deteriorated, and energy availability factor has declined to 55.3% Eskom has reiterated that it was expecting to record an after-tax loss of R23.2 billion by the end of the 2023/24 financial year due to the continued poor generating plant performance, in spite of achieving a profit in the first six months. The struggling power utility yesterday reported a net profit after tax of R1.6bn for the six-month period ended 30 September despite continued financial and operational challenges. The favourable tariff increase of 18.65% resulted in an increase in revenue from R144.8 billion in September 2022 to R158.6 billion in September 2023, despite a decline in sales volumes. Sales volumes during the period experienced a decline, dropping by 5.9% from 97.6TWh in the same period last year to…

TESLA is recalling just over two million vehicles in the US fitted with its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system to install new safeguards, after a safety regulator said the system posed safety concerns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been investigating the electric carmaker led by billionaire Elon Musk for more than two years over whether Tesla vehicles adequately ensure that drivers pay attention when using Autopilot. The largest-ever Tesla recall appears to cover nearly all of its vehicles on US roads. Tesla said in a recall filing Autopilot’s software system controls “may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse” and could increase the risk of a crash. Acting NHTSA administrator Ann Carlson said in August it’s “really im- portant that driver monitoring systems take into account that humans…

FOLLOWING the first expansion of the year in September, retail sales volumes fell back into contractionary territory in October, declining by 2.5% year on year. Statistics South Africa said yesterday retail trade sales fell by 2.5% year-on-year in October 2023, with the largest negative contributors being general dealers, hardware retailers and all “other” retailers. FNB senior economist Siphamandla Mkhwanazi said the lower sales was ma- terially lower than the Reuters consensus expectation of a 0.9% increase. He said the setback likely reflected consum- ers’ delayed shopping decisions, in anti- cipation of Black Friday deals in November. Nevertheless, year-to-date volumes were 1.5% lower than the same period last year, underscoring the challenging consumer backdrop, with cost-of-living pressures weighing on consumers’ discretionary incomes, he said. Statistics SA said seasonally adjusted retail…

The portfolio committee on transport came out in defence of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) after the entity was publicly slated when its Shosholoza Meyl trip from Joburg to Cape Town was forced to halt in Wellington at the weekend due to vandalised infrastructure. Committee chairperson Mina Lesoma said the committee would not do “running commentary” on the incident, while Prasa would instead account to Parliament and provide a briefing of its challenges. “It is odd that some leaders will just dismiss challenges that they know are there as a PR exercise and, without reason or cause, blame it on the incompetence of hard-working officials. “Prasa had been invited to Parliament to both the portfolio committee on transport and the standing committee on public accounts on more…

Award-winning songstress and activist Simphiwe Dana is gearing up for two “One Night Only” shows at the Baxter Theatre tomorrow and another intimate performance at the Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth next week on December 23. Speaking to The Star on Tuesday, Dana said the two performances would be intimate performances as a way to thank her fans for their continued love and support. She said she has not had a chance to perform for them for over two years since the Covid-19 pandemic. “They (performances) are a way of thanking them because Covid-19 has not been good to many of us. So these will be styled as intimate performances of healing and to conquer. We have survived a year and other challenges as we take stock of the year…

Has advocate Wim Trengrove missed the wood for the trees? This certainly is the view of Ziyad Motala, former honorary professor of law at the University of the Western Cape and currently a professor of law at Howard University. Motala wrote a scathing op-ed, published in a weekend paper, in which he strongly disagreed with Trengove’s exoneration of David Teeger over his pro-Israel speech. He was referring to Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) decision to refer complaints against Teeger to Trengove for determining whether his remarks had violated CSA codes. Teeger sparked huge controversy over his scandalous dedication of an award he received at a Jewish Report event, to Israel and its soldiers. “Yes, I’ve been (given) this award, and yes, I’m now the rising star, but the true rising stars…

DARE I say it… X marks the spot. Well, at least our new long-term Ranger Wildtrak X does. The Wildtrak X fills a niche between the Ranger Wildtrak and the Raptor, providing a proper offroad experience with upgraded suspension, all-terrain tyres and a host of goodies designed to take the road less travelled. It’s not quite as radical as the Raptor that has a completely different design in mind but it’s more than enough for the tough stuff. In addition, you don’t have to fill the rather thirsty 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 petrol engine but rather stop at the diesel pump to provide Ford’s popular 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo engine with juice. That engine produces 154kW and 500Nm of torque and is paired to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s the first Bi-Turbo…

Theoretically, the ruling of the Gauteng High Court on December 11, declaring the recognition of Prince Misuzulu as king or isilo of the AmaZulu nation illegal and unconstitutional has caused some anguish. The court has directed the president to constitute an investigating committee on the customary and legal process for recommending and confirming a king. What are the implications of the decision? The stability of governance in KwaZulu-Natal especially? An application was brought before the court by Prince Mbonisi, a brother to the late King Zwelithini, and Prince Smakade, the elder brother to King Misuzulu. It is centred on the process followed to nominate the king. They alleged that the meetings of May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021 did not satisfy the standards set by the law governing the…

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has warned his side against letting their unbeaten record against TS Galaxy go to their heads ahead of Saturday’s Carling Knockout Cup final. Stellies are enjoying an unprecedented undefeated streak against the Rockets, having not lost to their next opponents the eight times they’ve met. The two teams will now meet in the deciding match of the inaugural knockout competition at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban (3pm kick-off) with an eye on taking home the lucrative ‘big cheque’. The winner of the competition will walk away with R9.6 million from their four matches, with the bulk being the R6.6 million earned from winning the final. Each stage has a staggered cash reward, with teams earning a R250 000 participation fee for every appearance. The…

The Stormers camp will be feeling a bit better about themselves after the courageous display against Leicester Tigers, but they know it’s a must-win situation in Saturday’s Champions Cup showdown with French giants La Rochelle. It was unfortunate that John Dobson’s second-string outfit were unable to secure a losing bonus point in the 35-26 defeat at Welford Road, and now they have to emerge victorious against the defending champions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off). But the Stormers could take a number of valuable pointers from the Leicester game, and one of the success stories was young lock Connor Evans’ performance. The former Junior Springbok, who is still only 21, put himself about against the English champions with a gutsy display. Even though the line-outs were again iffy…

When the Cheetahs host the Sharks in their EPCR Challenge Cup clash on Sunday, it will only be the second match in the competition this season for both teams – but so much will be riding on that 3pm kickoff. Both teams have considerable ground to make up. The Cheetahs will be looking to mark their historical homecoming to the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and make it a remarkable one. What better scalp to do that with than that of a Sharks side that boasts a handful of World Cup-winning Springboks. On the other hand, so much talk has been made about the Sharks being laden with Springboks, but the reality is that with this match, they will be looking to stitch up back-to-back victories for the first time…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described their return to the Champions League as very positive after they wrapped up their Group B campaign on Tuesday night with a 1-1 draw at Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven. Arsenal had already secured top spot in the group, and a place in the last 16, after thrashing RC Lens 6-0 at the end of last month. The Gunners last competed in the Champions League in the 2016-17 season, reaching the last 16 before being thrashed 5-1 in both legs by Bayern Munich. They returned to the competition this season after finishing runners-up in the Premier League to Manchester City, and won their group with 13 points, four more than second-placed PSV. “I think overall very, very positive, after six or seven years without being…

RMB Holdings’ (RMH) share price shot up to close 8.62% higher at 63 cents on the JSE after it declared a special dividend of 23.5c per share as it continues to monetise its assets. In results for the year to September 30, the company said it would like to return the settlement of the Atterbury base loan received together with settlements received from Integer 3, amounting to R254 million. In addition, RMH wished to return R73m of the cash retained for ongoing operations, resulting in a total dividend of R327m. The special dividend was declared on December 12. On October 10, 2022, RMH had paid a special dividend of 141.7c per share. After the unbundling of RMH’s last financial services investment, the 34% interest in FirstRand in June…

AS 2023 DRAWS to a close, South Africa reflects on a year marked by a mix of achievements, controversies and economic struggles. In this retrospective, we delve into the good, the bad and the ugly, encapsulating the nation’s journey over the past 12 months. The Good One bright spot in 2023 was the significant progress made in job creation within the construction industry. As South Africa seeks to address unemployment and stimulate economic growth, the construction sector emerged as a beacon of hope. With numerous infrastructure projects underway, including roads, bridges, and housing developments, thousands of jobs were created, providing employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers alike. This positive momentum not only contributed to the nation’s economic recovery, but also fostered a sense of optimism and community empowerment. The…

HEADING into 2023, the local small business community was “cautiously optimistic”. 2023 was the start of a fresh, new, pandemic-free year and many small businesses were looking to recover their losses and return to business as usual. However, the ongoing and deteriorating energy crisis, the knock-on effects of geopolitical tensions abroad and cost-of-living crisis, put a damper on these positive prospects and drove 2023 in another direction. In response to these mounting pressures, many small businesses renewed their focus on getting the basics right and emerged more productive and efficient than ever. In retrospect, 2023 was indeed a year characterised by adversity, but as Business Partners’s Executive General Manager of Impact Investing, David Morobe, often says, South African small businesses have a high “adversity quotient”. Even in the face of…

JSE-LISTED coal miner Thungela has had to curtail production from three underground sections as a way of managing high stockpiles occasioned by Transnet’s inefficiencies, although it is still on track to meet its production targets for 2023. Transnet has been experiencing problems that have grounded South African companies. Coal miners such as Thungela have been hardest hit during the 2023 full financial year. “In response to the continued rail underperformance, we curtailed production at three underground sections earlier this year and instituted free-on-truck sales in order to better manage stockpile capacity at our operations,” said Thungela chief finance officer Deon Smith. The Transnet inefficiencies forced Thungela to use trucks to ferry coal from its South African operations to nearby sidings. This helped the company to reduce reliance on rail and…

Angelina Jolie has confirmed she has signed up for Maleficent 3. The 48-year-old actress revealed a third film in the franchise – a follow- up to the 2014 original and its 2019 sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil – is in the works. In a profile with WSJ magazine, Jolie confirmed she is to star in the third movie in the Disney series, but didn’t offer any other details. It’s not known whether Elle Fanning, who plays Briar Rose in the movie series, and Sam Riley, who portrays Diaval, will return. Lesley Manville, Imelda Staunton, and Juno Temple also appeared in the first two films. What’s more, Jolie hinted she might quit acting for good, and insisted she wouldn’t choose the same career if she had her time again. She said:…

President Cyril Ramaphosa will apply for leave to appeal the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ruling, which set aside his recognition of Zulu King Misuzulu, declaring it unlawful and invalid. The High Court ruled on Monday that Ramaphosa had failed to follow due process in terms of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019, also known as the Leadership Act, when he failed to institute an investigating committee when a dispute over the throne arose. Judge Norman Davis slapped Ramaphosa with a cost order and ordered him to appoint an investigative committee in accordance with the leadership Act. The committee would be expected to conduct an investigation and provide a report in respect of allegations that the identification of King Misuzulu was not done in terms of customary laws…

SOUTH Africa is one of the world’s most dangerous countries in which to drive. This is according to recent research by renowned international driver’s education company Zutobi. South Africa was compared to 50 other countries around the globe, finishing first as the world’s most dangerous. South Africa was followed by Thailand, then the US in the latest research by the company. The most dangerous countries for driving have remained consistent since last year, with the three most dangerous seeing no change. However, Moldova saw its road traffic death rate increase by over 30%, from 7.3 to 9.83 per 100 000 people. In contrast, several countries saw their rates improve, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina (from 13.5 to 7.35 per 100 000 people). Zutobi analysed countries worldwide based on indicators including motorway…

Ingredients 7 extra-large eggs, at room temperature, separated 1 tsp vanilla essence 2 cups castor sugar ½ cup milk 2 cups self-raising flour Fine salt 1 tin evaporated milk 1 tin condensed milk ¾ cup cream Raspberry cream: 300g frozen raspberries ½ cup castor sugar 2 cups cream, ice cold For decorating: 2 punnets fresh raspberries 1–2 punnets (20g) edible flowers Method Whisk egg yolks, vanilla and half the castor sugar together using an electric whisk for about 7 minutes, or until pale and fluffy, then whisk in milk. Combine flour and ½ tsp (3ml) salt, add egg mixture and stir to form a smooth mixture. Set batter aside. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 30cm x 28cm deep dish with baking paper and lightly spray with non-stick…

As 2023 draws to a close, South Africa takes a look back at the tragic deaths that rocked the world of media and entertainment and left fans, colleagues and families distraught. Through their work, the well-known figures impacted millions of people, and most of them are recognised for having had a significant influence on the media and entertainment industries. AKA Award-winning rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes was shot dead in Durban outside Wish restaurant in February. Forbes is among the artists who have been hailed for playing an integral role in the world of hip hop in South Africa. Many remember him for not shying away from speaking his mind about societal issues affecting the country. There has since been no progress in apprehending the murderers who were captured on…

Renault is selling to Nissan part of the stake it owns in the Japanese carmaker as the two companies seek to rebalance their alliance. The stake, equivalent to around 5% of Nissan’s equity capital, is valued at 765 million euros (R15.6 billion) at the closing price of the shares on the Tokyo stock exchange on Tuesday. The transfer at that price will result in a capital loss of up to 1.5 billion euros for Renault as it had valued the stake at a higher price in its books. The charge will affect the earnings of Renault, which posted a net profit of two billion euros in the first half of the year, but the carmaker said it would not impact operating income and “would improve the net financial position of…

TS Galaxy’s new crop of players and technical team aim to make history and crown their time together by clinching the inaugural Carling Knockout Cup. Established by former agent-turned-administrator Tim Sukazi eight years ago, Galaxy are an outfit synonymous with records in the PSL. They etched their name in the history books in 2018, becoming the first team from the second tier to win the coveted Nedbank Cup. The ground-breaking feat for the Rockets was made more special by the fact that their win came over the mighty Kaizer Chiefs, who were once regarded as the cup kings of SA football. But while that historic moment will not be erased, a lot has happened since. Galaxy are all but a new team – with new players and coaching staff. Coach…

The Bulls are aiming higher this season – and even snow in eastern France won’t be a scary thought in the Champions Cup. The Pretoria will make their way up north this week for Saturday night’s clash against Lyon at Stade Gerland hoping to adopt the right “mindset”, according to captain Marcell Coetzee. And the No 6 flank is confident that the Bulls are fully equipped to handle what is a tough environment this weekend. It wasn’t the case in early January, when a combination of freezing temperatures, a hostile crowd, a 4G pitch and a late-night kick-off contributed to the Bulls going down 31-7 to Lyon. As well as the hosts played, the visitors were their own worst enemies as they battled to hold on to possession and struggled…

Manchester United bowed out of Europe with a whimper as a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich rounded off a miserable Champions League campaign that has put Erik ten Hag’s future as manager in doubt. United have lost 12 of their opening 24 games of the season – a run that has also ended their defence of the League Cup and sees them languishing in sixth in the Premier League. It is just the fourth time an English club has finished bottom of a Champions League group. Only Manchester City in 2012 – in a tough section involving Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam – have ever taken fewer points than the four United managed in Group A. The real damage was not done against the German champions, who were…

A crestfallen Golden Arrows have been left to feed off scraps of confidence as they prepare for a tough test against Orlando Pirates this weekend. The Golden Arrows story of the 2023-2024 campaign has already provided so much commentary, conversation and all-round drama both on and off the pitch as their early-season trajectory hit a staggering halt. A side that a few months ago were dubbed one of the most exciting and cut-throat outfits in the top flight now look like a shadow of their former selves. The Durban-based outfit led the chasing pack after the first nine matches with resounding performances in attack and defence, which also led to a few of their players catching the eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. However, Arrows’ last win in all…

NOT ONLY ARE instant coffee lovers paying double-digit increased for their wake-me-up hot beverage, South African households are continuing to to take strain as annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages accelerated to a four-month high of 9% in November this year – its highest level in four months. This was from 8.8% in October. Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday released the data as it said annual consumer inflation eased to 5.5% in November, down from a five-month high of 5.9% in October. For all those coffee lovers, StatsSA noted the price index for hot beverages rose by 11.4% in the 12 months to November. “Apart from August 2023, the annual inflation rate for instant coffee has occupied double-digit territory since March 2022,” StatsSA said. The recent Avian influenza outbreak…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has been asked by parliament to impose an un- affordable R1 trillion NHI bill on the nation, the Freedom Foundation said yesterday. According to the Foundation’s research, this is a nightmare scenario for citizens and Treasury, “since NCOP passed the National Health In- surance (NHI) Bill on December 6, ignoring amendments and warnings proposed by thousands of stakeholders.” The foundation said in a statement: “This NHI cost analysis shows conclusively that NHI as proposed would be too costly to implement. At best, there might be slow, half-hearted and partial implementation.” Statistician Garth Zietsman, the lead researcher and co-author of the report said: “Until this study, there has been no published attempt at a comprehensive costing. Many estimates have been suggested, but there has been no detailed…

WHEN SOUTH Africans buy chicken this month to feed their families or celebrate with friends, their purchases should remind them of the value and resilience of the poultry industry. Chicken will be available and affordable this festive season, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of poultry producers to overcome the worst year in their history. High input costs, the additional billions that they are spending to counter electricity shortages, infrastructure failures and the ravages of bird flu, which caused the deaths of 9 million chickens, have wiped out profits and turned chicken farming into a loss-making business. Despite massive setbacks, poultry producers have ensured that the shelves will be stocked this Christmas, and they believe a recovery will be possible in 2024. For more than 100 years, the poultry…

AFRICAN Equity Empowerment Investments (AEEI) increased revenue 27% in the year to August, mainly due to better squid catches and improved prices in the fishing division, but the group bottom line was affected by losses and impairments in the technology division. A loss before tax was due to accounting adjustments for impairment of the investment in an associate held for sale, and the unbundling loss from the disposal of AYO Group from the technology division. Revenue from continuing operations increased 27% to R734.25 million. Net asset value per share was down 75% to 246.07 cents. The dividend was passed. The fishing and brands division reported a solid performance, with revenue up 19% to R566m, primarily due to an increase in the squid catch rates and volumes sold in…

This long weekend is the perfect chance to get your festive season started in Gauteng and beyond. There are plenty of events taking place in the province, as well as neighbouring regions, for all ages to enjoy. Among them is iconic music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who are concluding their legacy tour with the Mzansi Fela Festival in Pretoria. The five-time Grammy award-winning group, who have set stages alight for six decades, are performing at The State Theatre tomorrow. The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Legacy Tour started in May this year at The Joburg Theatre. In October, they performed at the Durban Playhouse, followed by Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre in November. And to close the year, they decided to take their tour to the Capital City. “The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Legacy…

Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) president Thulani Ngwenya has called for the government to act harshly against criminals who shoot and kill law enforcement officials. As the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies gear up for their festive season campaigns, Ngwenya urged members to remain vigilant and safe. He said the death of more than 69 police officers would seriously hamper the police’s crime-fighting efforts. Early this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa led the annual commemoration in honour of police officers killed in the line of duty. It was revealed that at least 34 police officers and reservists died in the line of duty between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Ngwenya said the escalating issue of police killings would have a negative impact on the police’s…

the sa Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) has provided coping methods for those who are alone as the holiday season begins, with many people sharing their excitement about spending time with family and friends. Clinical psychologist Christina Pereira details how this affects mental health, further detailing ways of coping during this time. “For those of us who have had a difficult time with our mental health over the year or in general, it can be challenging to try and fabricate a sense of Christmas or seasonal cheer that we see in others. The pressure and the comparison lead us to believe that we are somehow lesser than others, or that we will never be able to access that kind of spirit. The reality is that it is always okay not…

PRINCIPAL of Lynnwood Ridge Primary School Addy Harris has locked her office for the last time after leading the school for the past 25 years. But for decades to come, many will remember her legacy woven with dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment - all encapsulated within the remarkable tenure in the heart of Lynnwood Ridge Primary School. Harris is retiring after a monumental 44-year journey in education. Described as a beacon of wisdom and resilience, she embarked on her illustrious career at Merchiston Primary in Pietermaritzburg, where she ignited young minds for 18 years before gracing Lynnwood Ridge with her presence for a staggering 25 years. Among these years, five were spent leading the school as its esteemed principal. “When asked why I chose teaching, I often reminisce about my…

The holiday season is synonymous with joy and generosity, and this Christmas the spirit of giving has touched the lives of Tshepo Sibanda and his young family. Winner of a heart-warming competition sponsored by MortgageMarket.co.za in partnership with Metro FM, Sibanda’s story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of opportunity. Sibanda, a dedicated single father, faced numerous hardships and challenges on his journey. However, the prospect of a brighter future beckoned when he decided to participate in the Win a Home competition. His leap of faith paid off, resulting in him winning a brand-new elegant, fully furnished two-bed, one-bath flat at the modern Orlando Towers Estates – a far cry from the single back room he once called home. The significance of the gift is profound, as…

Giant search engine, Google, released the South African results of its 2023 Year In Search trends, revealing the terms, people, topics, questions and events that captured the attention of the public in the past 12 months. The annual discovery, called Year in Search, highlights the most popular lists and things that people search for to see, learn and do online. The South African statistics for this year show that people are more interested in technology, celebrities, notable days, notable persons who have passed away and sporting events. More than any other sporting event this year, South Africans were watching the rugby and cricket World Cups. The most frequently selected athletes on the list were the Springboks. The Rugby World Cup and Inter Miami, which ranked second and third in…

AS WE head into the summer holiday season, many of us will be checking our work emails less and less and opting for some more light-hearted content on our favourite social media platforms. And while we might be taking a break from the office, hackers are always looking for a window of opportunity. Your social media profile could be their next target. To prevent your business and personal accounts from being hacked, there are some important tactics to be aware of. One of the most common methods is a phishing email or direct message to your social media account. The first tell-tale sign of a phishing message is a generic greeting, like “Hello there” or “Dear user”. If the message doesn’t address you directly by name, it is probably a…

Zahara, our local music icon, has passed away – what sad and devastating news. Rest in peace, our multi-award- winning songstress and guitarist, who hailed from the Eastern Cape and won 17 SA Music Awards (Samas). Zahara is no longer with us, but her entertaining and well-received music will long live on. Thanks for blessing us with your great talent, coming from humble beginnings. What a pity your life has been cut short at a relatively young age following an illness. May God in His mercy grant your family and your multitude of fans comfort, peace and strength in their bereavement. Zahara’s demise will surely put a damper on the festive season for many. I had the privilege of seeing Zahara perform live at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention…

On the balance of things, the Lions should have very little to fear when they face the Newcastle Falcons this weekend, and therein lies the biggest danger – complacency. Truth be told, the English club are in dire need of a win. They are a desperate bunch that have failed to claim any victory in the Premiership, going down in all eight of their matches in that tournament. That losing streak was further compounded by a valiant loss at home to Montpellier last weekend in the EPCR Challenge Cup. Skimming over Newcastle’s stats makes for some grim reading. It shows malfunctioning set pieces with a success rate in the low 80% – a near-fatal deficiency in the modern game. They have managed to score 117 points, but have conceded 259…

Western Province will be looking to maintain their winning momentum as they welcome the North West Dragons to Newlands in the Cricket South Africa Four-Day Series today (10am start). Fresh from victory against the Titans, Province batsman Eddie Moore believes the team will continue where they left off two weeks ago. Moore thinks despite losing some key players to the national set-up, the team is still capable of challenging the dragons with some fresh blood coming into the squad. “We’re looking forward to a good battle on the field. Our team is still looking really strong, even though we have a few guys called up to the national set-up,” the top-order batter said. “We have a really good squad, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the younger players can…

Eddie Jones was named by Japan as their new head coach yesterday, six weeks after the Australian quit the Wallabies following their dismal showing at the Rugby World Cup. Jones previously coached Japan for four years from 2012, and led them to their historic win over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup. Speculation was rife that he would return after Australian media reported that he had been interviewed for the job during the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign in France. The pugnacious 63-year-old repeatedly denied being linked with the job. Japan Rugby Football Union CEO Kensuke Iwabuchi said Jones had fulfilled their wish to find a coach who both knew Japanese and international rugby. “In terms of expressing what he wanted to do, identifying what the problems were and how…

Manchester City’s fears that Erling Haaland could miss the Club World Cup later this month have been eased after Pep Guardiola revealed the Norway striker will return to training today. Haaland picked up a foot injury during a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last week that forced him to miss Sunday’s 2-1 win at Luton. The attacker did not travel with the City squad for last night’s Champions League match at Red Star Belgrade, with the holders already assured of their place in the last 16. City host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, before jetting off to Saudi Arabia to play in the Club World Cup for the first time. Haaland has scored 19 goals in 20 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League this season.…