At the end of 2023, The Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund bid farewell to two of its pillars in founding members and trustees Morné du Plessis and Frikkie Naudé. For 43 years, the pair paved the way for the non-profit organisation with extraordinary passion and left behind a solid foundation for the Players’ Fund to continue the phenomenal work they do. Known as Rugby’s Caring Hands and the official charity of the Springboks, the Players’ Fund assists 88 recipients who have sustained catastrophic head, neck and spinal injuries while playing the game they love and has aided over 600 fallen heroes over the years. The Fund was founded by Du Plessis and several of his Western Province and Villagers teammates including Naudé, Tubby Teubes, HO de Villiers as well as Judge Pat Tebbutt and Neil Strybis on September 9, 1980, after the tragic death of Western Province fullback Chris Burger from an injury he sustained in a Currie Cup match against Free State in Bloemfontein on August 30 of that year. Surging back to collect a kick in the final moments of the match, Burger was caught in possession by two forwards and a maul ensued. He suffered a broken neck during the play and died in the early hours of the following morning under the supervision of Dr Augie Cohen. “I remember very few things about my rugby career clearly, but that day is imprinted in my mind,” said Du Plessis, a global rugby icon and talismanic loose forward who captained Villagers, Western Province, and the Springboks at the time. “Chris’ death impacted us deeply and we felt we needed to support his wife. It grew from that initial focus as we realised there are others who are not so well known that are also suffering from catastrophic injuries and that ultimately evolved into raising millions of rands and supporting hundreds of injured players over the last four decades.” On April 11, 1987, Kylemore wing Petro Jackson passed away on the field after breaking his neck during a zone …
Exciting route updates unveiled for 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Returning to the ‘Friendly City’ on Sunday 7 April 2024, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K will treat runners to a fast, flat route that highlights the city’s iconic landmarks while celebrating the true essence of Gqeberha – the vibe, the city, and the people! "Gqeberha has a reputation for setting records, and we're determined to uphold that tradition," confirms Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "The 2024 route for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K is designed to be fast and flat, offering the perfect stage for world-class performances. Elite athletes from South Africa and around the globe are sure to deliver a thrilling race. For those aiming to beat their personal bests, this course offers an ideal opportunity, while newcomers to the sport can anticipate a memorable and rewarding first 10km race." Starting and finishing at Beach Road, Humewood, the route leads runners along Marine Drive before looping into the scenic residential area of Summerstrand. They will then return along Marine Drive, running along Beach Road once more, before being welcomed home by the lively atmosphere of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K finish line and Race Village. "Runners can expect to pass by iconic landmarks such as Shark Rock Pier, a captivating structure along the coastline, the historic Humewood Pillars (formerly the Humewood Slipway), the Apple Express Heritage Train, popular beaches, The Boardwalk, and numerous well-known waterfront restaurants and bars," continues Meyer. "Whether you're an elite looking to break a record, a seasoned runner aiming to set a new personal best or a newcomer absorbing the vibrant atmosphere, this route promises to be an unparalleled experience for all. Entries will be closing soon, so we encourage all runners to secure their spot on the start line by entering today." EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series 1. Sunday 07 April 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K Start & …
Ikhamva athletes smash 21km and 10km Kariega Human races
Simon Sibeko, 29, of Ikhamva athletics club, flew to the 21.1km finish in an excellent time of 1.03.58, leading the top four pack which was a clean sweep for the young talented Ikhamva Club athletes. Nicholas Seoposengwe, 22, followed closely in second place in 1.03.58, with Cwenga Nose in third position in 1.06.47, and Sinawo Poti, 22, fourth in 1.07.55. Sibahle Maqwara, 22, of Nedbank running club, finished in fifth position in a time of 1.08.17. Esteemed Ikhamva athletics club coach, and race director, Mike Mbambani, was thrilled with his team’s performance. “The race was well organised, and I am grateful to our local organising committee for their consistent high standard of race planning. “Melikhaya Frans is back in his previous strong form with his 10km winning finish, and his preparations for his upcoming races are going very well. “I am extremely pleased with the excellent overall results by the Ikhamva athletes, the clean sweep for the top four positions for the 21km race, as well as age group podium finishers. “The Kariega Human race is one of the Legacy Project events which are sponsored by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, and we can see the results of this project bringing sport and races to the people, with young highly competitive runners participating and developing into elite athletes,” added Mbambani. Nearly 700 athletes took on the Kariega Human races’s tough 21.1km and10km route running in cool but windy weather conditions on Saturday morning. Leigh Callaghan, of Achilles AAA, an established trail runner, was the first woman home in 1.27.01, beating defending champion, Kelly van Vliet, of Nedbank running club, to the finish. Kelly finished first in her age group 35-39 in 1.27.27, followed by team-mate, Refiloe Solomons, in third position, and first in her age group 40-49, in 1.28.53. Kayla Nell, of Charlo athletics club, finished fourth in 1.31.06 with Bianca Meistre, of 32Gi athletics club, in fifth position in …
Port Alfred Bowls and Croquet Club presents the Sunshine Coast Open Pairs event
Port Alfred Bowls and Croquet Club presents the Sunshine Coast Open Pairs event at the Port Alfred Easter Festival. We decided to find out more about the fun sport of Lawn Bowls. Lawn Bowls - What It's All About Lawn Bowls is a chill and fun game played on a flat, rectangular grassy area called the "rink." The rules are easy to catch, making it a perfect game for players of all ages. Each player or team aims to roll their bowls (slightly flattened on one side) closer to a smaller target ball called the "jack" than their opponents. The game starts with a coin toss to decide who goes first. Players take turns to roll their bowls down the green, trying to get them as close to the jack as possible. The player or team with the bowl nearest to the jack scores points. The bowls can curve as they roll, adding a bit of strategy to the game.To make things interesting, players can knock opponents' bowls away or use their own bowls to block the path. The jack can be moved around during the game, adding a layer of tactics. Scoring is straightforward. A point is scored for each bowl closer to the jack than any of the opponents' bowls. The game usually goes for a set number of "ends," and the player or team with the most points at the end wins.Players must stay on the mat when rolling their bowls and respect the "foot fault" rule. It's a social game, so good sportsmanship and a friendly spirit are part of the fun. Overall, Lawn Bowls is a simple yet strategic game combining precision, a bit of strategy, and a lot of fun on the green. Sunshine Coast Open PairsPort Alfred Bowls and Croquet ClubSaturday 30th MarchPrizes to the value of R10kFormat: 2 Bowl Pairs any gender (4,3,2,1 scoring)Ten ends per gameEstimated time per game – 50 minutes.Four sections of 6 teams playing a round-robinSection winners and runners up to compete for the cup and plate.Entry fee R150 pp / R300 per teamContact Hein at 066 462 …
Port Alfred Easter Festival presented by Port Alfred Tourism – Two Weeks To Go!
Port Alfred – With only two weeks to go before the PORT ALFRED EASTER FESTIVALkicks off, there is much excitement in the air. The entries are open for the Rip Curl GromSearch and the Rip Curl Cup, the Bands At The Beach Music Fest is good to go, and the Good Time Fair On The River will be a big hit. Surf Events The entries are open for the RIP CURL GROMSEARCH and the RIP CURL CUP, and the registrations have been swift. It has been really encouraging to see the number of younger surfers who have entered the GromSearch also entering the Rip Curl Cup. This Surfing South Africa Open Speciality Event is presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel and supported by Sea Harvest, and has R75k in prizemoney. Good Time Fair As part of the Port Alfred Easter Festival, The GOOD TIME FAIR will come to the Kowie from 10 am to the evening on Friday 29 March, uniting Wharf Street and Van Der Riet Street for the first time. All shops and restaurants will be open to join in the celebration. Get ready for a day filled with entertainment, delicious food, refreshing drinks, live music, and bustling markets. The fun starts on Van Der Riet Street with a jumping castle, Easter Egg hunt, and mouth-watering breakfasts and lunches from 10 am to 3 pm. Then take a stroll over Putt Bridge to Wharf Street from 3 pm for an afternoon and evening of live music, a second market, vibrant lights, tasty street food, two landmark restaurants to cater to your every whim, karaoke, a wife-carrying competition (win your wife’s weight in beer!) and even a thrilling walk-the-plank challenge right into the Kowie River! Bands At The Beach Music Fest Tickets from QUICKET On Saturday, the BANDS AT THE BEACH Music Fest will feature some of South Africa’s top bands, including Georgetown, Arno Carstens, Wonderboom, aKING and December Streets. The event aims to raise funds for Port Alfred’s NSRI Station with a target of R150 000 from a portion of ticket sales and to host an exciting music fest …
Mulaudzi eyes sub-28 time and prepares to challenge Mashele at Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
After taking second place at the ASA 10km Championships on Sunday 10 March, Kabelo Mulaudzi has confirmed that his next road race will be the much-anticipated Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday 7 April 2024. On the back of a breakthrough 2023 season which saw him run a maiden sub-28-minute clocking to win the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K (in July), Mulaudzi is in demand, but says that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series remains his main focus in 2024. “My plan is to focus on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. If I manage to qualify for the Olympic Games that will be a bonus for me. I don’t want to confuse my season - my main priority is to do well in these Absa races.” In order to do well though, Mulaudzi will have to get the better of the likes of national 10km record holder Precious Mashele who has also confirmed his participation. Mashele produced 27:35 during the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race in “The Friendly City” of Gqeberha last April, which is more than 20 seconds faster that Mulaudzi’s 27:56 personal best. The last time that Mulaudzi and Mashele faced off in a 10km road race was during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K (in August 2023), where the younger Mulaudzi triumphed over his friend and rival by just two seconds in a sprint finish. However, this time around, Mulaudzi is less focused on his competitors than he is on the stopwatch and taking advantage of the SA Athlete Prize Incentive Scheme which rewards athletes with anything from R60 000 to R200 000 depending on how fast they can run. In closing, Mulaudzi adds: “Our standard of 10km running is improving. The bonuses that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race organisers have announced for South African runners are a motivation for us to work harder and run faster. I think we can run 27 minutes again. My plan though is to improve on my personal best of 27:56 and if I can run the SA Record it would be a bonus.” "We are thrilled to see top athletes like Kabelo Mulaudzi and …
St Benedict’s Top SA Boy’s Rowing School For 30th Consecutive Year
They’ve done it again! St Benedict’s College remains unbeaten, holding onto the coveted title of South Africa’s School Rowing Champions, for the 30th consecutive year. Despite fierce competition at the annual schools’ regatta (1-3 March 2024), the Johannesburg boys’ school placed first in the lion’s share of the events, out rowing teams from the best of South Africa’s rowing schools. The annual three-day regatta was held at Roodeplaat Dam with crews of rowers from 13 boys’ schools taking part. The event was alive with energy and the thrill of watching the teams give everything of themselves to finish first. All 751 boys who participated were striving for the top spot, eager to dethrone the champions. However, the remarkable dedication and countless hours of training, both on and off the water, solidified St Benedict’s victory and the fight to hold onto this coveted title unified the Bennies boys. For some of these boys, this was their last SA Champs so it was quite an emotional moment to bring to an end to their school rowing career. The school placed first in the U14, U15 and Open age groups. The tightly contested and highly prized 1st Eight race, often described as the main event of the weekend, also went to St Benedict’s. When all the scores were tallied, St Benedict’s was recognised as South Africa’s top boys’ rowing school winning with 447 points. Strong Competition Top contenders for the 2024 title included St Alban’s College, St Stithians, St John’s College, Jeppe Boys, King Edward VII School and St Andrew’s Grahamstown. All the competitors deserve to be praised and it was encouraging to see top performances across both co-ed and monastic schools. Several Zimbabwean schools also demonstrated their skills on the water. Speaking about the win, College Head, Dave Jeffrey says, “St Benedict’s College has long been one of the best schools in South Africa for rowing and this win has reaffirmed our pedigree. Retaining our stellar record of success is no …
Successful Lake Farm Run Fundraiser
Lake Farm Centre celebrated the 29th edition of their annual Charity Run fundraiser in perfect weather conditions on Saturday, 9 March. Proudly sponsored by Bukani Print, Pam Golding Properties, Investec, and Kingfisher FM. Race Organisers, Nedbank Running Club, and Lake Farm Centre were happy with the support of the event, which doubled from last year with nearly 900 runners enjoying the three road distances, 5km, 10km and 25km on Saturday. “We are thrilled with the response this year, and would like to thank all the runners, suppliers and sponsors who made this fundraiser possible,” said Lake Farm Centre General Manager, Amelia Laubscher. “This year Lake Farm Centre dedicated the 25km Endurance Challenge to honour Ralph Kordes, local former world class athlete who is now coping with dementia. “Rolf Kordes, an esteemed Duathlon athlete, Ironman, Comrades and Two Oceans athlete, used this Lake Farm 25km route for most of his training runs. “Rolf, now 83, was at the Lake Farm Charity Runs to start the races and we are confident that this event will grow in support next year,” added Laubscher. Runners, and their friends and families, enjoyed Lake Farm Centre’s famous Coffee Shop’s bakery and frozen foods, including scones & cream, Mastertons Coffee, pancakes and boerewors rolls. The Saturday events were rounded up by Gareth Burley, with a prize giving and lucky draw. Well known local top athlete, Melikhaya Frans, of Ikhamva athletics club, won the 25km in an excellent time of 1.26.55, closely followed by training partner, Thabang Mosiako, of Nedbank running club, in 1.27.03. Ross Barnard of Hollywood Bets, finished in third position in 1.29.34. Kayla Nell, of Charlo athletics club, who won the 10km last year, won the 25km with a comfortable lead in 1.49.31. Theresa Buchner, of 32Gi athletics club, finished second in 2.06.01, with Sitha Sigenu, of Vukani running club, in third position in a time of 2.08.24. Andile Motwana of Nedbank …
Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K introduces a Challenge just for Schools!
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is calling on all Western Cape based schools to sign up for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K’s fun ‘School’s Challenge’ that will form part of the 9th annual event on Sunday 12 May 2024. "The Schools Challenge brings a thrilling team dynamic to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K," explains Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "Our aim is to encourage greater participation among young athletes in the 10km race, encouraging teamwork and sparking spirited rivalries among schools." Open to participants aged 14 to 19, the Schools Challenge at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K includes separate divisions for Boys and Girls. Schools are encouraged to register multiple teams, each consisting of 5 learners. Prizes will be awarded to the Top 5 Boys Teams and Top 5 Girls Teams, with the winning teams in each category receiving the prestigious Trophy and year-long bragging rights. "The Schools Challenge features a discounted entry fee of R200 per runner, which includes a temporary license," continues Meyer. "Entrants will enjoy the convenience of a dedicated 'Entries Collection' point during race pack collection, ensuring a personalized and efficient experience for all entrants." In closing, Meyer adds, "We encourage all participating schools to proudly wear the event t-shirt as part of their dress code on race day as it will add to the vibrant atmosphere of the 'sea of red'. Join us today and get ready to #RunYourCity as a school and as a team at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K." EVENT INFORMATION: Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K “Schools Challenge” Special Entry Fee: R200.00 per entrant (inclusive of Temporary Licence) Entries Close: Monday, 06 May 2024 (midnight) For more information please email: entries@runyourcityseries.com To enter the event please visit: www.runyourcityseries.com The Top 5 Boys and Girls Teams will be awarded the following prizes: 1st Place: PUMA …
Entries Open For Rip Curl GromSearch and Rip Curl Cup Port Alfred presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel
Port Alfred – Entries Open For Rip Curl GromSearch. Surfing South Africa has opened entries for the Rip Curl GromSearch Port Alfred and the Rip Curl Cup Port Alfred. These events will take place during the Easter Weekend – March 29 – April 1 2024. They are part of the Port Alfred Easter Festival presented by Sunshine Coast Port Alfred Tourism. The Rip Curl GromSearch is a junior event with U12, U14, U16, and U18 Boys and Girls divisions. It is contest number two of a five-event series, and entries can be found HERE. The Rip Curl Cup is an Open Speciality Event; with surfers of all ages invited to enter this tournament. It has two divisions, Open Men and Open Women, and it sports a whopping R75k prize pool, The winners in the two divisions will take home an R20k first prize. Entries can be found HERE. Entering Both Events Surfers competing in the Rip Curl GromSearch can also enter the Rip Curl Cup. It will be a great opportunity for our up-and-coming surfers to compete against more experienced surfers in South Africa, gain valuable competitive experience, and even go all the way to the finals. These two events will take place at East Beach, Port Alfred, one of the premier sand-bottom waves of the East Coast. East Beach, Port Alfred © Louis Wulff The combined prize pool for the two surf competitions is a whopping R105k. Entries will fill up quickly, so competitors are urged to enter as soon as possible to be included in the events. Local Port Alfred surfers Lily and Owen Heny, along with Carl Wiersma, have already placed their entries. From further afield, Brad and Sarah Scott, Kai Hall, Luc, Louise, and Leah Lepront, along with Rip Curl Teamriders Ben Esterhuyse and Rylan Jarvis, have also all secured their entry spots. The local NSRA Port Alfred Station 11 will provide water safety for both events, as well as the SA Bodyboarding Challenge, which will take place at West Beach at the same time. Port Alfred Easter …