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Mail & Guardian
sportslatest news & developments
Team USA defeated South Africa 13-8 in a thrilling tie-breaker at the 2026 Nedbank International Polo

High-goal drama and vibrant fashion collide at the 2026 Nedbank International Polo

Team USA defeated South Africa 13-8 in a thrilling tie-breaker at the 2026 Nedbank International Polo, a spectacular Sandton event blending world-class sport with bold, colourful…

How sports shape society and the unpredictable currents of public life

When the Stadium Becomes a Mirror of the Street Public life rarely moves in straight lines. A city can feel calm for weeks, then one match, one march, one headline changes the…

President of the Confederation of African Football Patrice Motsepe. Photo: File

CAF moves to restore trust after AFCON final controversy with sweeping reforms

CAF announces sweeping reforms to refereeing and governance structures following the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final, aiming to rebuild trust and prevent a repeat…

More than a game: How South Africans wear sport like a second skin

In South Africa, sport isn’t a hobby parked in a corner of life. It’s a social language. It decides what time people arrive at a family visit, how loud the TV gets on a Saturday,…

The Role of Sports in South African Youth Development

Sports undoubtedly play a pivotal part in moulding the lives of youngsters in South Africa. Sports are deeply entwined with social transformation and have become a powerful means…

Fast becoming popular: The local series Spinners won a top award in China last month. Photo: Charlie Sperring

South African series Spinners triumphs at Shanghai TV Festival, winning Best Foreign TV Series award

The local series Spinners won a top award in China last month.

Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi and Herschel Jantjies with the trophy during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Champions Tour on November 11, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Video

The Springboks, Mr Barnes, Ma Zandile and James Small

Rassie, along with his captain, Siya Kolisi’s generation of players, have deepened our bonds with rugby in a manner that I thought inevitable as a young boy. Win or lose, they…

Players of Russia pose for a team photo ahead of friendly match between Russia and Iran at Azadi Stadium on March 23, 2023 in Tehran, Iran. (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Most unwanted? How sports treat the Russia problem

International sports bodies are taking wildly varying stances on allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams to compete while the war in Ukraine continues

Nike x Jacquemus collab: What to expect

The Nike x Jacquemus collaboration drops on Tuesday 28 June online. So far, no ludicrously tiny handbags in sight, but luxurious feminine twists on activewear that make this the…

South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk (R) competes in the Men’s 400m Final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016.   (AFP / Fabrice COFFRINI )

Tokyo Olympics: Your guide to Team SA

South Africa will be hoping to build on an impressive Rio, but face a number of challenges

Students from the movement, ‘Open Stellenbosch’, ‘Luister’ and ‘Rhodes must Fall’ during a march at Stellenbosch University on September 1, 2015 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The students are protesting against the language policy and alleged racism at the university. (Gallo Images / Beeld / Leanne Stander)

We need more anger about racism in South Africa

Those who want a non-racial and equal society need to unite against both whites and blacks who collaborate to entrench a racist system

Virtual reality: The world of esports has grown exponentially from its perception as a smattering of geeky hang-outs to global mass-watched extravaganzas. (Getty Images)

Esports offer a brave new world

With stadiums shut, clubs and leagues are turning to the video games to stay relevant

The good old days: Fans at a T20 international at Kingsmead in February. It will be some time before live sport can resume, with countries around the world going into various states of lockdown. (Anesh Debiky/AFP)

Fear and uncertainty grip sports due to Covid-19 outbreak

Bankruptcy? Quarantine centres? SA’s sporting bodies are facing their greatest-ever challenge

Graceful and ferocious: A Golden City Roller ‘jammer’ (in red) moves through a Pan African Rollers ‘blockers’ pack. (Devin Botes)

On a roll: Skater women hit hard

Roller derby skaters relish the challenge of taking to the track, despite the high risk and little reward

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the footballer extraordinaire, has set up a fundraiser to fight Covid-19 in Italy, the country that served as home for much of his career. He kicked things off with a cool €100000 donation.  (Xavier Laine/Getty Images)

Tips to keep you entertained on weekends of no sport

Here are four things you can do while your favorite team is in quarantine

Preventative measures: Paris Saint-Germain (right) and Dortmund line up in an empty Parc des Princes stadium in Paris stadium.  (Getty Images/UEFA/AFP)

Covid-19 red cards major events

Sporting events, from football and tennis to rugby and cycling, on this year’s calendar are in doubt

Italian Serie A games have been postponed and played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Silvia Lore/Getty Images)

How the coronavirus has hit global sport

Here is a look at the effects on sport of the coronavirus, which on Monday had killed over 3 800 people while infecting more than 110 000 in over 100 countries

One of South Africa’s best athletes is making waves internationally and is targeting a third world record. You’ve probably never heard of him.

Mpumelelo Mhlongo, two world records down, one to go

One of South Africa’s best athletes is making waves internationally and is targeting a third world record. You’ve probably never heard of him.

François Levaillant’s travel book became a huge bestseller centuries ago. Ian Glenn traces his engagement with the author

Non-fiction

History, politics, drugs, terrorists, cartoons, sport celebrities and memoirs … expand your knowledge over the Christmas period

Sol Plaatje at his writing desk taken from his book Native Life in South Africa.

Kimberley’s Sol Plaatje statue at the heart of new wrangle

A life-sized statue of Solomon Plaatje has been languishing in storage for nine years after objections from his family over the way he was depicted