Nonu forms Sharks centres club

Ma’a Nonu is making his presence felt at the Sharks, with coach JP Pietersen revealing how the All Blacks great has formed a close-knit group with some of Durban’s most promising young backs.

The 103-Test All Blacks centre may be one of the most experienced players in the Sharks squad, but his influence is extending well beyond what he can produce on the field. lebandit.lat

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According to Pietersen, Nonu has quickly become a mentor to a group of young Sharks backs, regularly meeting them to work on skills and discuss rugby in general.

“He’s slotted in perfectly in the group,” Pietersen told the media on Thursday.

“It’s great to have him. I’m obviously mates with him, so it’s good to have him, and he can also give me feedback on my side too. They’ve got a club now. I think they meet every morning at 6:30am in the gym – Ma’a and Jurenzo [Julius], Murray Koster and Litelihle Bester,” Pietersen explained.

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“They’re in the gym, they do some skills and passing and just talk about rugby.”

For Pietersen, however, it is Nonu’s knowledge of the game that could prove particularly valuable to the Sharks’ emerging backs.

“He’s been good in that space. He’s helping the young guns a lot about attacking space, understanding space, and the most important thing is about preparation. How do you prepare before you arrive at the stadium? Are you coming with a plan, or if you don’t have a plan?”

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The Sharks have several exciting young backs in their wider group, and Pietersen hopes exposure to a player of Nonu’s stature can accelerate their development.

“He’s challenging them and being professional. Something that’s still a learning for, I think, most of us. It’s been awesome. He’s been good to them, and I’m just thankful that we’ve got him at this stage of his career,” he said.

“Hopefully, it can rub off onto these young guns so they can become – not just become, but speed up the process of becoming – established rugby players.”

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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Pedro Sanchez a de nouveau assuré ce 3 septembre 2026 n'avoir aucune « preuve solide » d'une éventuelle implication du Maroc dans la crise migratoire de Ceuta, tout en condamnant fermement des déclarations de ministres marocains revendiquant la souveraineté sur ce territoire. L’éventuel rôle de Rabat dans l'entrée soudaine de dizaines de milliers de migrants dans l'enclave les 30 et 31 juillet est au cœur des débats en Espagne depuis un mois. Interrogations encore renforcées le 2 septembre par la fuite dans la presse d'un rapport policier pointant notamment la « permissivité » des forces de l'ordre marocaines ces deux jours-là.

The Springbok Women have named their team to face the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on Saturday following Swys de Bruin’s shock decision to step down as head coach.

Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who guided the team during successful campaigns in Kenya and Fiji, will continue as co-head coaches.

SA Rugby said no further comment would be made on De Bruin’s departure in the short term to allow the team to focus on Saturday’s historic encounter, the Black Ferns’ first Test on South African soil.

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Prop Babalwa Latsha will captain a Bok Women side featuring several players who faced New Zealand in last year’s World Cup quarter-final in England, which the Black Ferns won 46-17.

Latsha, Sanelisiwe Charlie and Lindelwa Gwala are reunited in the front row, while Vainah Ubisi partners Danelle Locher at lock. Catha Jacobs joins Sizo Solontsi and Aseza Hele in the back row.

Among the backs, Byrhandré Dolf, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga and Libbie Janse van Rensburg retain starting roles from that World Cup encounter.

Unam Tose replaces the injured Nadine Roos at scrumhalf, while Alichia Arries starts on the wing, with Maceala Samboya moving to the bench. Replacement scrumhalf Anacadia Minnaar is also set to face the Black Ferns for the first time.

Saturday’s match will kick off at 1:30pm.

SPRINGBOK WOMEN – 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (c), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Bench: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 21 Logan Welman, 22 Anacadia Minnaar, 23 Maceala Samboya.

BLACK FERNS – 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 14 Mererangi Paul, 13 Amy Du Plessis, 12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Hannah King, 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 6 Mia Anderson, 5 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby (c), 1 Chryss Viliko.
Bench: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Maddison Robinson, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Amarante Sititi, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Ruahei Demant, 23 Justine McGregor.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 3 – This year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon will see more than 30,000 runners taking part in the annual race benefit from expanded medical cover, additional hydration support, improved post-race recovery services and new sustainability measures as organisers step up preparations for the October 25 race.

The Local Organising Committee said the changes are designed to strengthen athlete safety and race operations while positioning the marathon as one of Africa’s leading road races operating to international standards.

Key improvements include 20 hydration stations positioned along the route, roaming bicycle medics for faster emergency response, dedicated muscle relief stations, enhanced recovery support and downloadable digital finisher certificates.

Every finisher will also receive a tree seedling, with organisers targeting 50,000 trees in partnership with Nairobi City County as part of a broader sustainability programme covering waste segregation, recycling, reduced single-use plastics, responsible sourcing and impact measurement.

“This year, our focus is on raising the quality of the runner experience while strengthening the safety and sustainability standards behind the race. From medical response and hydration to recovery and environmental responsibility, every enhancement is intended to give participants a well-organised, world-class marathon experience,” said David Mwindi, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee.

Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei said the marathon’s World Athletics Road Race Label status gives Kenyan and international athletes a credible platform to compete at a recognised standard.

“The World Athletics Road Race Label affirms the organisers’ commitment to excellence and international race standards. It provides athletes with a recognised competitive platform and reinforces Kenya’s position as a global leader in distance running,” he said.

The marathon also continues to support community impact through the Standard Chartered Foundation, whose programmes equip young people with skills, opportunities and pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.

The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon will be held on 25 October 2026 along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass.

The event will feature seven race categories: the 42km Marathon, 21km Half Marathon, 21km Wheelchair Race, 10km Race, CEO Challenge and 5km Family Fun Run.

Organisers will also host warm-up runs across the country in the coming weeks as participants make their final preparations.

Le Français Christophe Laporte, champion d'Europe en 2023 et médaille de bronze aux JO 2024, a prolongé son contrat avec Visma-Lease a bike jusqu'en 2029, a annoncé jeudi 3 septembre l'équipe cycliste néerlandaise. La formation de Jonas Vingegaard et Wout Van Aert, a indiqué que le coureur de 33 ans, dont le contrat expirait en fin de saison, avait à la fois enrichi son palmarès et contribué à nombre de succès de ses équipiers. Après avoir rejoint Visma en provenance de Cofidis, le Varois a rapidement brillé, avec une victoire d'étape dans le Tour de France et un succès final au Tour du Danemark en 2022. Le rouleur français a ensuite connu une saison 2023 faste, remportant Gand-Wevelgem, A Travers la Flandres, deux étapes du Dauphiné et en décrochant le titre de champion d'Europe à Assen, aux Pays-Bas. Les deux saisons suivantes ont en revanche été plus compliquées, avec des blessures en 2024 et un virus qui l'a handicapé une bonne partie de l'année suivante. Le Français dispute actuellement le Tour d'Espagne, où il est l'un des poissons-pilotes dans les sprints du jeune britannique Matthew Brennan, déjà vainqueur à trois reprises en onze étapes disputées.