Table of contents for 2023-10-12 in Star

PSG FINANCIAL Services, which changed its name in July from PSG Konsult, said yesterday that it had increased its interim dividend by 23% due to double-digit earnings growth despite challenging operating conditions. In its interim results for the six months that ended August 31, 2023, the group said it achieved robust earnings growth across its three main business units, which span investment advice, insurance, and asset management. Recurring headline earnings per share per share rose 21% to 37.6 cents per share following net inflows into managed assets of R9.5bn. The group declared an interim gross dividend of 13.5c per share from income reserves, compared to last year’s 11c per share, up 23%. PSG Financial Services said this reflected its sound financial position and confidence in its prospects. CEO…

THE COMPETITION Tribunal yesterday prohibited the merger involving the sale of Sasol South Africa’s sodium cyanide business to a Czech-based producer of sodium cyanide, Draslovka Holding, through its local subsidiary, Draslovka (South Africa). Sasol announced in July 2021 that it had agreed to sell the business to the global cyanide expert for R1.46 billion, subject to regulatory approval. At the time, Sasol said the transaction was part of Sasol’s ongoing, strategy-aligned, asset divestment programme. “Sasol has made progress on its expedited review of the business to consider how it can be most effectively positioned to be sustainable in a low oil price environment. Consistent with this approach, the expanded asset disposal process has yielded good interest in relation to a number of assets, despite the macro environment uncertainty,” Sasol…

OVER THE PAST four years, I have kept a sharp eye on technological activities in the financial sector, with startup opportunities to enhance finance inclusion being key. The banking sector has now seen a significant shift towards digital platforms, due largely to the Covid-19 pandemic, its lockdowns and restrictions. Customers increasingly demanded (and still demand) more personalised, efficient and secure financial services. Over the past two years, African Bank started asking the critical question of how it can leverage web 3.0 to enable a seamless and secure experience for its clients. Last year, the bank hosted its inaugural IT summit and this year, on a much larger scale, it hosted an IT summit that started with a hackathon and huddles with various technology startups and university students. The hackathon participants…

When there’s a documentary out on a famous sports personality, chances are, I’m going to make some popcorn, get comfy on the couch and watch it until the end, uninterrupted! This past weekend, Netflix’s new release, Beckham, had me glued to the TV. Before I knew it, about five hours had passed watching the four episode docu-series, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I grew up in the era where anything and everything centred on football star David Beckham. Just like the doccie reveals, all the boys wanted to look like and be like him, while all the girls crushed hard on the posters of him on their bedroom walls. I was also a Spice Girls fan, so when David and Victoria (née Adams), aka Posh Spice, got together, it was somewhat…

The Star’s investigation unit has finally found the documents proving how controversial leader of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) Jerusalem faction, Michael Sandlana, forged the death certificate of his wife, Benedicta Sandlana. This exposè reveals how a death certificate and application for letter of executorship was sourced following the fake death of Benedicta, choreographed by her husband Sandlana. The Star is in possession of the documents where Sandlana secretly applied to be the beneficiary of his wife’s estate, while she was alive and living with him. The paper has also seen other forged documents in which Sandlana used to obtain Benedicta’s fraudulent death certificate. The documents clearly show Sandlana to be the signatory of an application made to the Department of Home Affairs as the husband of his…

There was a solemn gathering outside St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, as clergy along with religious leaders across faiths, artists, activists, and the general public gathered at the cathedral steps for a vigil in solidarity with the people of Palestine, calling for an end to the occupation and lifting of the blockade on Gaza. The church’s dean, Father Michael Weeder, put out the call for members of the public to “bring a poster, flowers, and a commitment for justice for all” and to gather at the steps. Father Weeder said: “We are witnessing the unfolding of a humanitarian crisis and if you look at Gaza itself, it is a war on Gaza in the name of attacking forces of resistance that are in Palestine. But for us, if you…

Gauteng residents were most likely to rent their homes, rather than own them, key data released in the 2022 Census shows. The data released on Tuesday also showed at least four out of every 10 homes in South Africa were paid off, while a quarter of people lived rent free on properties around the country. Gauteng had the lowest share of fully paid off households, with 31.3%, while it had the highest proportion of people living in rented households at 36.6%. There was a marginal increase in home ownership to 41.6% in 2022, up from the 41.3% recorded in the 2001 and 2011 censuses. There were 17.8 million households in South Africa, almost double the 9.1 million recorded in 1996. The impact of load shedding was also evident in how…

It was Thomas Jefferson who uttered these profound words centuries ago: “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a duty.” For more than 75 years, the world turned a blind eye to events and degradation of human rights in the holy land. Today, the world reels in shock, condemnation, one-sided resolutions in order to contain, let alone control, the conflict as it spreads. As a researcher and writer, I have warned about the perils of inaction, in every major newspaper in the world. Some talk of escalation, not realising that such a move would bring about mayhem that could be the catalyst for World War III. The dangerous strategy of unrestricted warfare will destroy the entire Middle East. The fierce and bloody struggle in Gaza erodes the veneer of civilisation and…

VIOLENCE erupted in Mpumalanga after a group of jobseekers could not reach an agreement with the management of mining company, Universal Coal Mine, in Belfast. Police in Mpumalanga said a follow-up meeting, which was scheduled for Monday did not materialise and tempers flared. “The incident dates back to October 2, when the concerned jobseekers marched to Universal Coal Mine in Belfast to hand over their concerns about unavailability of job opportunities for locals in the mine,” said provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala. “After the march, both parties – the jobseekers and mine management – reached an agreement for a follow-up meeting which was scheduled for Monday.” On Monday, it was alleged that the mine management could not allow everybody onto its premises, but suggested that only the group’s representatives…

In the midst of an escalating rhino poaching crisis at the Hluhluwe/iMfolozi (HiP) game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, a contentious debate has arisen over whether dehorning rhinos is an effective strategy to protect them. While some argue dehorning could deter poachers, others express concerns about its effectiveness and potential consequences. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, responsible for overseeing the park, has voiced reluctance regarding the dehorning approach. According to Musa Mntambo, a spokesperson for Ezemvelo: “Ongoing discussions have revealed evidence that dehorning in certain protected areas did not prevent poaching, and in one instance, poachers even killed a dehorned rhino.” Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy recently revealed that of the 231 rhinos killed in the country during the first half of the year, 143 were in KwaZulu-Natal. Creecy acknowledged that poachers…

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has said the fact that convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius is eligible for parole does not mean he will automatically be released. The DCS was responding to reports that the Constitutional Court confirmed that Pistorius was eligible for parole review in March. Pistorius was denied parole back in April this year on the basis that it was too early. He is serving a 13-years-and-five-months prison sentence for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said it had received an order from the Constitutional Court on the proper interpretation of the Supreme Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered on November 24, 2017. He said the judgement was very clear in terms of years that Pistorius needed to serve. “But the confusion came…

Mitsubishi might have pulled the covers off an all-new Triton overseas, but the local division is not finished with the current version just yet. The importer has announced a new GLX model, which serves as a special edition pitched just above the current Triton GL, which joined the line-up as a more affordable model back in 2022. Priced at R529 900, the Mitsubishi Triton GLX edition costs just R10 000 more than the GL. For that small outlay it gains an upgraded Sony sound system and a number of exterior accessories, including a black nudge bar and rear sports bar set, Keko tonneau cover, double tube tow bar and tailgate lock. That’s in addition to the features already offered on the GL, which include automatic air conditioning, electric windows, dual…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki has backed Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos’ decision to call up midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane to his latest 23-player squad. The South African team are set to play two international friendlie against Eswatini and the Ivory Coast in the coming days, and Broos has had to make a few last-minute changes to his squad. On top of losing Mamelodi Sundowns duo Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Maseko to injury, Bafana will also have to make do without the exploits of Al Ahly’s Percy Tau, who withdrew from the team – citing personal reasons. Broos, who has also lost Orlando Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng to injury (with Cape Town City’s Khanyisa Mayo called up in his place), has surprisingly chosen to replace Tau with the Chiefs ace. The inclusion…

The African Football League has the potential to dilute the Premiership in the same way that Super Rugby did the Currie Cup. And that is reason good enough for the PSL to block Mamelodi Sundowns’ participation in a tournament that is the brainchild of their owner Patrice Motsepe, in his capacity as Caf president. This is the view of TS Galaxy chairperson Tim Sukazi, who shared his views on the special eight-team continental competition set to begin next Friday and run until 11 November, with Sundowns set to represent South Africa. All the PSL teams (the 15 in the Premiership, exclusive of Sundowns, and the 16 in the Motsepe Foundation Championship) voted against the Brazilians’ participation in the tournament that was initially billed to be the African Super League, contested…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena believes the club has enough depth in their squad to be competitive in both the African Football League (AFL) and the Carling Knockout Cup. The draw for the newly introduced ‘league cup’ (replacing the Telkom Knockout Cup) was concluded on Tuesday, with all the DStv Premiership teams finding out their opponents for the Round of 16. The Brazilians will travel to the Mbombela Stadium to face TS Galaxy. The dates and times of the matches are yet to be confirmed but the opening round is expected to kick off after the international break. However, Sundowns are also set to play their opening match of the AFL on October 20 at Pedro de Luanda in Angola. When quizzed about the potential clash of fixtures and his…

POSTBANK posted a R2 billion annual loss yesterday as it complained the variation notice imposed by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) was restricting its growth and took a massive loss from a credit loss provision relating to the SA Post Office (Sapo). The State-owned entity yesterday, presenting its financial results before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies in Parliament, reported a net loss of R2bn in 2022/23 financial year as compared to a profit of R302 million the prior year. It attributed this to the R2.2bn expected credit loss provision relating to the R4.3bn Sapo exposure. Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe said the SARB’s variation notice, issued in December 2021, with several conditions, one of which was for Postbank not to on-board new customers or offer…

Jubilee Metals, the diversified metal processing group, saw a strong operating performance in the year ended June 30, which assisted in buffering the group against market challenges, including a fast falling platinum price and rising costs. It demonstrated “Jubilee’s ability to challenge industry norms by breaking through technical barriers and implementing solutions that extract value from materials and ore sources that were previously regarded by others as waste or too complex,” its directors said in the results published yesterday. Its share price at the end of the day was 14.97% down to close at R1.42 on the JSE yesterday. “As a consequence of the investments made in the last financial year, we can report that our expansion into higher margin chrome mining and processing activities has already started to yield…

LIKE SEVERAL of its global counterparts, South Africa is experiencing a critical skills shortage, particularly in the finance, health and IT sectors. The skills deficit can be attributed to several factors, including the migration of young talent to opportunities overseas as well as remote work prospects. The impact of this attrition of the skills base has upped the ante for businesses competing for the best talent. Within the competitive environment, small businesses need to be strategic about how they attract and retain their workforces. Small businesses are not only competing with other enterprises of the same size; they’re dipping into the same talent pool as large corporates. The answer lies in establishing an attractive value proposition for employees by leveraging the advantages of working for a small business. Along with…

The families of the two boys, aged 4 and 6, who died after allegedly eating poisonous biscuits bought from a Soweto spaza shop have slammed health authorities for depriving them closure. More than a week after the deaths of Leon Jele, 6, and Neo Khang, 4, their families are still unclear of the real cause of death. The Gauteng Department of Health said it was awaiting lab results which would indicate the real cause of death of the two boys. “The police are still investigating the matter and you may want to engage with them on the matter. On the general, samples that our team took are still outstanding as we are still waiting for the results,” the department said. Speaking during the funeral service held at Naledi Hall yesterday,…

Senzo Meyiwa murder accused Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi’s hopes of finding an alibi to prove he was back home for a ceremony in KwaZulu-Natal through transactions were dashed by his bank records. This came to light after his defence counsel, advocate Sipho Ramosepele, attempted to object to the submission of Ntanzi’s bank records by the State. Ramosepele objected to the bank records, saying that there were some transactions which Ntanzi claimed he had made in his home town of Nongoma in KZN that were not reflected in the statements. Ntanzi further alleged that a loan he had requested from Capitec to help with the ceremony he attended back home, around the same time Meyiwa was shot and killed, were not reflected in the statements either. State advocate George Baloyi, however, reminded…

The country’s educational outcomes challenges have been laid bare in the recently released Census 2022 results, but there are notable improvements, despite some grim findings. The Census 2022 has revealed that there were at least over 18.5 million adults in the country who did not complete their secondary school education – or, simply put, they did not have a matric certificate – with black/African and coloured people being the most likely not to finish school. South Africa has an adult population of at least 40.5 million people aged 20 years and over, with the remaining 21.5 million aged 19 and younger. This means almost one in every two people do not have a matric certificate and/or have not completed their secondary school education. The data shows only 4.6 million people…

Four out of every five households in South Africa had access to piped water last year, while seven out of every 10 households in the country had flushing toilets. This was revealed by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday, from the 2022 Census report. The Census showed that almost six out of every 10 households had piped water inside their dwelling, while two out of every 10 people had piped water within the yard. The data showed improvements in water access, with only 8.7% of households having no access to piped water, while a further 8.9% had access at a community stand or outside the yard. The data showed that the Western Cape had the most access to piped water within the home with 85.5%, followed by Gauteng with 75% and…

TSHWANE Municipality’s 24 clinics have been hailed for providing quality health services after they retained their platinum ideal clinic status. Health member of the mayoral committee (MMC) Rina Marx said an ideal clinic was a health centre with good infrastructure, and adequate staff medicine and supplies. It must also have good administrative processes. The facility must have the relevant clinical policies, protocols and guidelines, as well as partner and stakeholder support, Marx added. “As the MMC responsible for health, I am pleased to announce that all 24 of the primary health-care clinics managed by the City of Tshwane Health Department have retained their platinum ideal clinic status,” she said. The status, she said, was awarded after peer review assessments conducted last month. “Peer review teams consisted of various role-players, including…

Snake handler Jason Arnold had to flush out a Mozambique spitting cobra from an underground pipe at a home in Reservoir Hills recently. The family sent a picture of the snake while the husband kept an eye on it in the garden. The picture was not clear, but it seemed to be a Mozambique spitting cobra. The homeowner did what Arnold wished more people could do – he stood quietly at a safe distance and monitored the snake until Arnold arrived. “Had he not, I may not have known where to look, and may not have found it,” Arnold said. When Arnold arrived, he was shown where the snake was last seen – near a door where a car was parked. Arnold put on his sunglasses and looked for the…

The second-generation BMW X2, revealed to the world yesterday, gets a bold new look, up-to-date tech and significantly larger dimensions. Set to be launched in South Africa during the first quarter of 2024, the new BMW X2 is 194mm longer than its predecessor as well as 21mm wider and 64mm taller, while sharing its 2 692mm wheelbase with the latest- generation BMW X1. BMW has also announced an all-electric iX2 version for the first time, featuring a twin-motor drivetrain that offers 230kW and 474Nm, but this won’t be available in South Africa. Instead our market will receive two petrol-powered options, these being the X2 M35i xDrive performance model and sDrive18i. The former will add some sparkle to BMW’s local compact line-up, given that the X1 M35i isn’t offered here. Thankfully…

Formula One drivers on Sunday declared the Qatar Grand Prix as the toughest physical test of their career, some calling for a review of its October date in the calendar, after a gruelling race that saw several vomiting in their helmets and some taken to the medical centre afterwards. American Logan Sargeant of Williams retired after 40 laps after complaining he felt too sick to continue, suffering severe dehydration and having vomited. His team chief James Vowles said he felt a responsibility for his drivers’ health and advised him to retire. “Let’s bring it in and call it a day,” he said. “Let us look after you. There is no shame in retiring.” Frenchman Esteban Ocon completed the full race distance in seventh place for Alpine. Afterwards, he said he…

RECENT reports on the theft of food meant to feed learners at a Mpumalanga school – by teachers, a member of the school governing body and other school employees – reveal the extent of a crisis in the government’s school feeding scheme. A news clip showing two light vehicles laden with tinned fish and other goods revealed how much food was being swindled out of the mouths of the hungry learners. Whether that much food was going to be used at those individuals’ homes alone, or was going to be sold, remains a mystery. But one thing is for sure, that much food stolen from one school meant many mouths – of the little ones who depend on the nutritious meals they are supposed to get from school each day…

The Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has undergone a facelift – or should that rather be a tummy tuck, with the surface being relaid for its first ever World Cup match today (10.30am start). But like with any cosmetic surgery that has taken place, the final outcome is somewhat of a mystery, which has caused a genuine sense of uncertainty in both the Proteas and Australian camps. The sample size before the pitch was dug up after the IPL this year was not substantial either. Only four one-day internationals had previously been played here, with three in 2019 and one in October last year. Seldom has there been so much uncertainty about the 22 yards of parched earth out in the middle ahead of a major World Cup clash.…

Rafa Nadal will return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open in January, tournament director Craig Tiley announced yesterday, though the 22-time major champion’s representative later said no timeline has been set for his comeback. The 37-year-old former World No 1 has been sidelined since hurting his hip flexor in a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the Melbourne Park major earlier this year. The Spaniard was initially expected to miss eight weeks but underwent surgery on a hip muscle in June. Tiley told Nine Network’s ‘The Today Show’ that Nadal had confirmed his participation in the Grand Slam. “We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back,” Tiley said. “He’s been off for most of the year and in talking to him over the last few days,…

THE INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned financially-constrained countries about the fiscal implications of the green transition, saying the current national objectives and policies could fail to deliver net zero, with catastrophic consequences. This comes as South Africa is in the middle of a Just Energy Transition Programme (JETP) to accelerate the just transition and the decarbonisation of the electricity system after mobilising $8.5 billion, or R163bn, from rich countries. IMF director of fiscal affairs Vitor Gaspar said yesterday that balancing public finances had become increasingly difficult for all countries as a result of growing demands for public spending, rising interest rates, high debts and deficit and political resistance to taxes. During the release of the IMF’s Global Fiscal Monitor report, Gaspar said countries with limited fiscal space, low…

ZIMBABWE-listed companies are now allowed to report financials in US dollars as the economy rapidly dollarises, with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) CEO revealing yesterday that corporate boards and shareholders have room to decide which currency to report financials in. Zimbabwe uses a multiple currency regime that includes the Zimbabwe dollar, which is increasingly being sidelined for transactions, the rand and the US dollar. Listed companies have also been reporting an uptick in US dollar transactions, although the government insists on pegging prices in the local currency with the option of translating prices to US dollar using the official exchange rate. “Reporting issues are for the board and shareholders … they can use any currency that they feel best represent the performance of their organisation. We are in a multicurrency…

South African “popiano” star Tyla’s career has hit a defining moment but it seems like her fellow brothers and sisters have chosen to throw shade rather than support her. The artist’s recent hit, Water, has gone viral, moving up 45 places to number 48 on the Spotify Weekly Top Global Chart after the release of the music video. The video also clocked three million views in three days, making it the fastest South African music video to reach that mark. The song’s global success over the past month has also seen Tyla become the first South African artist to clock 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify. And the dance challenge has been gaining so much traction on TikTok. Social media users should be excited about Tyla’s newfound global success but…

Eight awaiting trial prisoners escaped from the holding cell at Mankwe Magistrate’s Court in Mogwase after overpowering a court orderly. North West police spokesperson Amanda Funani said the policeman was escorting one of the men from the courtroom to the cells when the group overpowered him. The incident occurred on Tuesday. “The member had just unlocked the cell door for the awaiting trial detainee, when those who were inside suddenly pushed the burglar door, overpowered the member, and ran away in different directions,” she said. Two escapees, Lebogang Mokotleng and Tshepang Raselemane, were rearrested a few minutes later at Mogwase taxi rank. Mokotleng, 27, was arrested for robbery with a firearm, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, while Raselemane, 25, is facing charges of robbery with a…

A private security company, Vision Tactical, wants dating site Grindr to banned in South Africa following an increase in attacks on users. Vision Tactical’s Yaseen Theba said the ban was imperative in order to safeguard vulnerable individuals against violence and exploitation. The call comes after the rescue of a Wits University student who was allegedly kidnapped last month. Police said the kidnappers lured the student on the dating site. They demanded R30 000 for his safe return. A suspect was arrested after he went to withdraw the ransom money. “He then led the team to Denver Men’s Hostel, where the victim, aged 18, was found bound and unconscious. Six more suspects were arrested, and the victim was rushed to hospital for medical attention,” Brigadier Brenda Muridili said. She said…

THE idea of constructing a high-speed rail link between Gauteng and Limpopo has reached a new gear. In May this year, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and his Limpopo counterpart, Stan Mathabatha, came up with the idea to alleviate traffic congestion between the two provinces. The 240km rail network will transport commodities for regional and domestic markets as well as people. The two provinces have already created a joint technical team of senior officials to develop a feasibility study around the concept. Last week, Lesufi, while speaking at the 2023 Smarter Mobility Africa Summit in Midrand, said the team was ready to present the concept paper to Cabinet soon. “Creating a new rail opportunity to Limpopo is a vote of confidence about the future. This future must incorporate Gauteng, and Gauteng…

THE DA in Gauteng has slammed the province’s Health Department after the death of 6-year-old Oreratile Chabalala due to a shortage of ambulances and beds. Pretoria News yesterday reported that Oreratile died on Saturday after he had been admitted to Odi hospital but was later transferred to George Mukhari Hospital for specialised care. However, there was no bed available for him. Eventually, when the bed was available, the ambulance meant to transport him to the facility arrived too late as he had succumbed to his illness. His devastated family reported that the Grade 1 learner at Ontlametse Phalatse Primary School in Hebron had been struggling to breathe for a few hours before his death. The family blamed the Gauteng health services for his death, saying they could have saved his…

The future of Nissan South Africa’s Rosslyn plant near Pretoria has been the subject of speculation recently. This follows the announcement back in August that the NP200 compact bakkie would be discontinued in March next your, following an extended life cycle of 16 years. Given that no direct replacement has been confirmed for the half-ton bakkie, this would result in substantially reduced production volumes at the Gauteng plant as about 1 000 NP200s are produced there each month. Unfortunately, Nissan SA has confirmed that it has entered into a formal consultation phase to restructure the business, which is likely to result in employee lay-offs. Interestingly, Nissan SA also confirmed that an “immediate” replacement for the NP200 was going to be built “on an Alliance shared platform” in Russia. However,…

For thousands of years, medicines have been developed from natural sources, mostly plants. In recent decades, though, drug hunters have been looking at the immense diversity of marine organisms as potential sources of new medicines. Marine sponges have garnered particular attention. They are considered champion producers of molecules (known as “natural products”). They produce these because they use toxic compounds to deter predators, communicate with their neighbours or prevent algae and bacteria from growing on them. Marine sponges are a remarkably diverse group of animals, with more than 9 000 species. They come in a wide array of shapes, sizes and colours, ranging from small, inconspicuous forms to large and vibrant reef-building varieties. They look like a sedentary blob of porous tissue on the seafloor, which gives them their name.…

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was hired as the new manager of Championship club Birmingham yesterday. Rooney has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract to replace John Eustace at St Andrew’s after leaving Major League Soccer side DC United last week. Eustace, in charge for just 15 months, was sacked despite guiding Birmingham to sixth place in the Championship this season and Rooney will be expected to oversee a push for promotion to the Premier League. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City at such an exciting time. “It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club,” Rooney said. “We are fully aligned on what is expected. I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments,…

All of France think Antoine Dupont walks on water, and SA director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is not one to argue the virtues of the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year. The French captain has defied medical science to come back from a fractured cheekbone to rejoin his team, and is likely to lead them in Sunday’s quarter-final against the Springboks in Paris. AFP reported yesterday that Dupont’s prospects of playing were boosted when the scrumhalf trained for the second day wearing a headguard. “Antoine is someone who is intelligent, sensible,” France No 8 Gregory Alldritt told reporters yesterday. “If he says he can play again, it means that he’s fully able to do so.” Erasmus said this week that Dupont is such a good player that he…

Ireland coach Andy Farrell said it was “the big boy stuff now” after naming an unchanged team for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with New Zealand. The 48-year-old Englishman said his players were now used to these big weeks after he kept faith with the same starting XV as the one that hammered Scotland 36-14 last Saturday. His team are not only seeking an 18th successive Test victory, but if successful would become the first Ireland team’s to reach the semi-finals of the sport’s quadrennial showpiece. “It’s the business end of the competition, and when you get to those points within a competition, then you draw hopefully on good experiences that you’ve had,” Farrell said yesterday. “The experiences that we’ve put ourselves under in the last three or four years were…

Captain Rohit Sharma surpassed compatriot Sachin Tendulkar with a record seventh World Cup century to lead India to a crushing eight-wicket win over Afghanistan yesterday. Chasing 273 for victory in New Delhi, the hosts rode on Rohit’s 131 to achieve their target in 35 overs for a second straight win in the 50-over showpiece event. He brought the nearly packed house to its feet with his century off 63 balls to go past Tendulkar’s record of six tons in World Cups. “Special to get a World Cup hundred. Very happy about that. Don’t want to think about records too much, because I know there’s a long way to go,” Rohit said after being named player of the match. “I know it’s my responsibility to give the team a good start…