EP rocked by schoolboy selection row

Eastern Province coaching staff have reportedly threatened to quit after highly-rated players were left out of the U16 Grant Khomo Week squad. forumteam.blog

According to Schoolboy Rugby Blog, the controversy is the latest in a series of issues surrounding EP’s youth week selections.

The report claims that players were added to several provincial squads after selectors had already submitted their final teams, resulting in official squads differing from those originally chosen.

Concerns have also reportedly been raised about EP’s U18 Craven Week squad, which allegedly does not meet the prescribed transformation target.

However, the most explosive fallout centres on the U16 Grant Khomo Week team.

Schoolboy Rugby Blog reports that the chairman of the EP High Schools Rugby Association wrote to the union president expressing concerns over changes made to the squad after the final selection process had been completed.

Those alterations allegedly resulted in highly-rated players being omitted and replaced by others who had not received the support of the selectors during the trial process.

The report further claims that pressure was placed on the EPRU to increase the representation of players from underprivileged backgrounds, leading to political interference in the selection process.

The dispute has now escalated beyond the players themselves.

In a letter to EPRU president George Malgas, members of the coaching staff involved with the U16 team have indicated they are prepared to step down if the selection changes remain in place and are not adequately explained.

Letter sent to EPRU by EP U16 Grant Khomo Week management

Dear Mr Malgas
RE: Concerns Regarding Amendments to the Grant Khomo Team Selection

We write to formally express our serious concern regarding the decision to include players in the final Grant Khomo squad who were not selected by the appointed coaching staff and selectors following the completion of the trial process.

As the management team responsible for evaluating players throughout the selection process, we are deeply troubled that several players who did not progress beyond the third round of trials have now been included in the final squad, while players who consistently demonstrated superior performance have been omitted.

The coaching and selection panel invested considerable time and effort in conducting a fair, objective, and transparent selection process. The amendments made to the squad have not been accompanied by any clear rationale and appear to disregard the outcomes of the trials. This raises significant concerns regarding both the integrity and credibility of the selection process.

While we fully support the development of rugby talent across all communities within Eastern Province and are committed to assisting promising players in reaching the required standard, we strongly believe that development should not come at the expense of player welfare, merit-based selection, or the competitiveness of the team. Placing players into a high-performance environment before they are physically and technically prepared may expose them to unnecessary risk and does not serve their long-term development.

Particularly concerning is the omission of players such as Carl Killian, who was one of the standout performers throughout the trial process. His selection was considered certain by both coaches and selectors, to the extent that his game time was managed during the final trial. Similarly, Arno Nortje consistently performed at a level that warranted inclusion within the Grant Khomo system and his exclusion is difficult to justify based on performance.

As educators, coaches, and custodians of the game, we have a responsibility to uphold principles of faimess, honesty, and integrity. Unfortunately, we cannot confidently support or endorse a selection process that appears to have deviated from these principles.

We therefore respectfully request that this matter be reviewed as a matter of urgency and that the final squad be reconsidered based on the performances and recommendations arising from the official trial process.

Should the current selection remain unchanged without adequate justification, we will unfortunately find ourselves unable to associate our names with the process or its outcomes. In such circumstances, we would have no alternative but to reconsider our continued involvement in the program.

This position has not been reached lightly. We are proud supporters of Eastern Province Rugby and remain committed to its success. However, decisions of this nature undermine confidence in the system, discourage participation from dedicated volunteers and coaches, and contribute to the challenges the province faces in attracting and retaining support from stakeholders and sponsors.

Given the limited time available before preparations continue, we trust that this matter will receive your urgent attention. We look forward to your response and to a resolution that protects the integrity of the selection process and serves the best interests of all players involved.

Yours sincerely,
Grant Khomo Management

FULL STORY

The post EP rocked by schoolboy selection row appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 3, 2026 – Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala will be back in action in the Diamond League at the fourth leg of the prestigious competition in Rome on Thursday evening.

Omanyala will be among an elite field of sprinters that will be vying for top honour in the men’s 100m, in a race that will bring the curtains down on a thrilling evening of track and field action.

The 2022 African champion walks onto the track as the second fastest man this year, boasting a season’s best (SB) of 9.94 seconds, which he clocked at the second leg of the Diamond League in Xiamen, China, a fortnight ago.

American youngster, World Indoor 60m champion Anthony Jordan boasts the fastest time in the startlist, having run 9.91 seconds at the Tom Jones Memorial in Florida on April 18.

For Omanyala, continuity will be the key word as he seeks to stick to the path of his newfound hot streak that has seen him clock a sub-10, five times in the last two months.

Victory at Xiamen earned him his second ever Diamond League victory since he clocked 9.92 to win in Monaco in July 2023.

To get his third, however, he will have to quickly get over his last performance in which he clocked 10.23, despite winning the men’s 100m at the Triveneto International Meeting in Italy, last Sunday.

Also to note are his opponents who will be equally angling to cross the finish line ahead of him.

Omanyala will know they are no rivals to be sniffed considering their rich resume of achievements.

They include Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles who clocked 9.95 on his way to victory at the Tokyo Grand Prix on May 17.

The 2020 Olympic champion Lamont Jacobs is also another one Omanyala will be wary of, considering the Italian will have the home crowd behind him — and a steely determination to make a mark in his first race of the year.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine is also another one with an axe to grind, having flattered to deceive in the Diamond League races he has competed in thus far this season.

Meanwhile, after struggling to make the podium in Shanghai and Xiamen, Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo redeemed himself with a second-place finish at the third leg of the Diamond League in Rabat on Sunday — clocking 19.96 in the men’s 200m.

Ever the calm and collected sprinter — but devastating and competitive nonetheless — the Botswana sprinter will be looking forward to continuing his resurgence with victory in the Italian capital.

With the who-is-who of sprints lining up alongside him at the blocks, Omanyala will indeed need to churn out an almighty performance if he is to make a statement.

The post Resurgent Omanyala to battle top sprinters for glory at Rome Diamond League appeared first on Capital Sports.

Bafana Bafana are back in the World Cup after a 16-year wait. Here’s everything you need to know including key trivia, danger men, fixtures and more.

Mexico vs Bafana World Cup opener key details

Mexico and South Africa will kick the 2026 World Cup off at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Incidentally, these sides also played the first match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first showpiece of its kind hosted on African soil. Co-hosts Mexico, ranked 15th in the world by FIFA, will be eager to get their campaign off to a winning start against a Bafana Bafana side ranked 60th best on the planet. Mexico vs South Africa kicks off on Thursday, 11 June at 21:00 CAT.

Likely Bafana starting XI vs Mexico

Williams; Mudau, Ndamane, Mbokazi, Kabini; Mokoena, Mbatha; Appollis, Mofokeng, Moremi; Foster.

Bafana squad trivia

19 of the 26-man squad named by Hugo Broos play in South Africa’s Betway Premiership. Ex-Orlando Pirates star Lyle Foster is the only British-based player, recently relegated from the Premier League with Burnley. Uncapped 22-year-old defender Olwethu Makhanya turns out for United States MLS side Philadelphia Union. Bradley Cross, also uncapped, was previously on the books of Newcastle United. However, the 25-year-old never played a senior game for the Magpies. Bafana Bafana’s squad contains eight players from the newly crowned champions, Orlando Pirates, and nine from Sundowns.

Full 2026 World Cup squad

Ronwen Williams (Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).

Defenders

Khuliso Mudau (Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane), Khulumani Ndamane (Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Aubrey Modiba (Sundowns), Samukelo Kabini (Molde), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Pirates), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire).

Midfielders

Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates), Jayden Adams (Sundowns).

Attackers

Lyle Foster (Burnley), Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners, Thapelo Maseko (all Sundowns), Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Tshepang Moremi (all Pirates).

South Africa’s 2026 World Cup fixtures

• Thu, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa (Mexico City), kickoff 21:00 CAT
• Thu, 18 June: The Czech Republic vs South Africa (Atlanta), kickoff 18:00 CAT
• Thu, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea (Monterrey), kickoff 03:00 CAT

Broos bows out

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has announced that he’ll retire after the finals. The 74-year-old Belgian has won plenty of goodwill with Bafana fans in recent years, taking South Africa to the 2023 AFCON semi-finals, eventually finishing third, and now qualifying them for their first World Cup in 16 years. Broos is no stranger to success, having won the AFCON title with Cameroon in 2017 and scooped five major honours with top-tier Belgian sides during his career.

Who are Bafana’s key operators?

Everything goes through Mamelodi Sundowns midfield metronome Teboho Mokoena. Around him, Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos will also lean on the precocious talents of 21-year-old Orlando Pirates sensation Relebohile Mofokeng. USA-based defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi is still only 20 but is already being earmarked as a future Bafana skipper. Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the line with his relentless pressing, channel-running and smart link-up play, perhaps with a point to prove after suffering relegation from the Premier League with the Clarets.

How far will Bafana go at the 2026 World Cup? Let us know by clicking the comments tab below 🙂

Ngwato is reported to be Orlando Pirates’ new player, with only an official announcement standing between the player and his new club.

The move is expected to be confirmed once the transfer window opens on July 1.

ORLANDO PIRATES SECURE NGWATO SIGNING

According to the leading Buccaneers insider Innocent Mkhize, who was the first to break the signing of Tshepang Moremi last season, the club has moved swiftly to secure one of South African football’s brightest young prospects after reaching an agreement for Ngwato’s services. This update follows May’s report.

The 20-year-old winger enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Siwelele after making his senior debut earlier this year. Despite featuring in only a handful of matches, Ngwato quickly attracted attention with his direct running, confidence on the ball and ability to trouble defenders.

Also read: Orlando Pirates transfer news: Agent confirms player’s release

Nicknamed “John Wick”, the Garankuwa-born attacker was already viewed as a long-term target by the Buccaneers, who have been planning for possible changes in their attacking department.

RELEBPHILE MOFOKENG SUCCESSOR?

Ngwato’s arrival comes at a time when uncertainty surrounds the futures of Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis at Orlando Pirates. Both superstars continue to attract interest from abroad.

The youngster even wears Mofokeng’s famous number 38 jersey at Siwelele. He has followed a similar development pathway through the DStv Diski Challenge before stepping up to the Betway Premiership.

While Orlando Pirates supporters will need to wait until July for the official unveiling, the deal is effectively complete. Ngwato is set to become one of the club’s first arrivals ahead of the new season.

At this stage of his development, Ngwato is still learning the game. He is arguably better suited to operating from the wing rather than in a central playmaking role like Mofokeng.

The number 10 position demands far more tactical awareness and the maturity to make quick decisions in congested areas of the pitch. Wide players often have more time and space to receive the ball. But central attacking midfielders must constantly navigate pressure. It comes from multiple directions while finding ways to unlock compact defences.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM ORLANDO PIRATES IN THE UPCOMING TRANSFER WINDOW?

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