Author: Stephen Kisbey-Green

The Springboks have made it to their first Rugby World Cup Final in 12 years, having slugged out their tight semi-final against Wales on Sunday. If South Africa are going to maintain their unbeaten run in World Cup finals, head coach Rassie Erasmus will need to deliver a masterstroke in team selection and game plan. Sunday’s semi-final attracted a lot of negative comments on social media for being “boring” and “a disappointment” after England and New Zealand’s semi-final the day before. Many fans, South African and Welsh alike, thought that the high number of kicks, combined with both teams’ apparent…

The Rugby World Cup in Japan has become one of the most interesting and controversial tournaments in the history of the event. From cancellations of matches due to weather, to the number of disciplinary sanctions issued during the tournament, a lot has happened off the field that has distracted from the intense action on it. So far, three pool matches have had to be cancelled due severe weather conditions, with many criticising the lack of a contingency plan in the case of extreme weather. However, in other sports, such as cricket, World Cup pool matches are cancelled on a regular…

After a successful trip to Taranto, Italy, Francois Botha can call himself Makhanda’s Mr Universe, as he finished second in his two categories at the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (IBFF) Mr Universe competition in late June. Botha, who is only 20 years-old, competed in the tournament for the first time in 2019, competing in the Junior U23 category, as well as the Senior Men’s 80kg category, placing second in both. The young bodybuilder boasts a lean and chiselled physique, which he has developed over years of dedication, diet and training, and was heralded as being one of the five…

Makhanda’s Premier young soccer teams are currently embroiled in heated and un competition during the 2019 National Arts Festival, hosted at Fiddler’s Green. The tournament started on Tuesday 2 July, and will continue through until Saturday 6 July, concluding with a celebration and prize giving in the afternoon. Teams involved in the tournament include Lakhenathi FC, City Pirates, Cameroon, Newtown City, PSG, the Xolani Eagles and the Superstrikers. The tournament is still wide open, with all of the teams managing to secure points early in the tournament, and the final matches promise to provide some great skills and exciting soccer.…

On Thursday 4 July, the MEC for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), Fezeka Bayeni, addressed the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, detailing the 2019/20 MEC Policy updates for the coming year. In her speech, Bayeni set out the plans, goals and budgets for the Eastern Cape DSRAC, as well as detailed to what extent each of the various aspects of the department will be focused on the coming months. While the majority of her address was focused on arts, culture and heritage, she also made clear the Department’s goals for Eastern Cape sport before the end of…

On Sunday 29 June, Makhanda’s resident boxing champion, Mziwoxolo Ndwayana, will be taking on Antonio Mayala from Angola for the Welterweight International Boxing Federation (IBF) Africa title. Ndwayana, who is currently the South African Welterweight champion, and also holds the World Boxing Federation (WBF) All Africa Championship, will travel to Uitenhage on Sunday to take part in one of the five international title fights taking place during the promotion. Ndwayana is in good form for 2019, having successfully defended his SA Welterweight Title in April against Odwa Gaxa. He will be going into Sunday’s clash with Mayala fully expecting to dominate…

On Tuesday 30 April, the South Eastern District Rugby Union (SEDRU) Referees Society were given a boost in the form of the sponsorship of new kit for their referees and members, sponsored by Light Fibre Infrastructure. The society, which was founded in February 2017, was in desperate need of kit, as previously, their referees had to officiate in whatever T-shirts and pants they had available. Barry September, Chairperson of the SEDRU Referees Society, expressed the importance of the referees in the town, and how previously the referees that form part of the society were not treated well on the field…

As the GBS Mutual Bank Mountain Drive Half-Marathon creeps its way closer, with just 15 weeks to go until race-day on 24 August, runners and walkers planning on tackling the mountain should be starting their training for the event. However, what many first time runners do not always take into consideration is the importance of one’s diet while training. Marna Oettle, a Registered Dietician practicing in Makhanda (Grahamstown), explains the importance of a good diet for any athlete. “Nutrition plays a key role in supporting the demands of training for a competition. Good food choices and optimal fluid intake can…

Strength training: This is designed by Rose Palmer, of CrossFit Grahamstown, as a beginner’s do-at-home strengthening programme to supplement your running training. There are two sessions a week which should be done at least 1 day apart, for example on Tuesdays and Fridays. The focus is on building strength in your glutes, hips and core. Please feel free to contact Palmer, by either emailing info@crossfitgrahamstown.co.za or contacting 072 185 3070, with any questions. All of these exercises should be done with correct technique and loading, and it is highly beneficial to work with a qualified coach. For clarification on an exercise, Google…

While the majority of the country was swept up in election-fever, South African sports fans were outraged by the decision made by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Court of Arbitration on Wednesday 1 May, stating that athletes competing in the 800m sprints must be within a certain testosterone level to compete in women’s events. This directly affected Caster Semenya, who has naturally-elevated testosterone levels. The decision, which only affected the events that Semenya competes in, means that Semenya would have to medically reduce the amount of testosterone in her body in order to continue competing. While controversial,…