Table of contents for 2025-12-10 in Post

Veteran journalist Fakir Hassen launched his magnum opus – a set of 46 books titled Lenasia Hitting the Headlines – at the Killarney CineCentre in Johannesburg on Sunday. The series covers historic events and achievements in the Lenasia community from 1976 to 2024 through the pages of the POST, Lenasia Times, the Rising Sun and the erstwhile, The Indicator. Through sponsorship, full sets have been placed free of charge in Lenasia schools, public libraries and local universities as a legacy research tool. At the launch were:…

IF RITUALS at temples continue to be presented as mere “gobbledygook” or meaningless traditional practices, the younger generation may see them as irrelevant or even burdensome. This could lead to temples – even those that have stood for decades – being emptied of congregations in the not-too-distant future, said Sagren Moodley, the guest speaker at the 125th anniversary celebration of the Shri Siva Subramaniar Alayam in Verulam on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. Moodley, a former resident of Verulam who is CEO of Metpress, a Johannesburg-based fabricator of products for the electricity supply industry, was at pains to urge the temple management to ensure that youth were at the centre of all activities, and had a seat on the highest decision-making platforms. “This temple has existed for 125 years, but there…

Umkomaas poet, author and first-time illustrator Ekta Somera has released her debut children’s book, Lilly the Llama: Party Drama, a lively and imaginative tale for young readers aged 2 to 7. The story follows a dramatic pink llama whose day spirals into humorous chaos as she recounts how she “ended up in a puddle of trouble”, complete with chickens crossing the road, party-bus dancing, and playful exaggeration at every turn. The book, filled with colour, whimsy and unexpected twists, marks Somera’s first move from poetry into children’s literature. “What makes the book unique is that I illustrated each character myself, and each one represents a little piece of my inner child. I was drawn to writing a children’s book because I wanted to create something that speaks to curiosity, imagination…

1 cup Spekko Jasmine Long Grain White Rice 1½ cups lukewarm water, divided 400ml coconut milk, divided ¼ tsp salt 4 tbs sugar, divided ½ tsp cornflour 1-2 ripe mangoes 3 tsp mixed sesame seeds, toasted edible flowers to garnish Soak the rice: Soak the rice in 1 cup of lukewarm water in a medium saucepan for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not drain the rice. Cook the rice: Add the remaining ½ cup lukewarm water, half of the coconut milk, salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then partially cover the pot with a lid (leaving some room for steam to escape). Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the coconut water has been absorbed, about 20 to…

5-6 dried shiitake mushrooms 2 cups boiling water 2 deboned chicken thighs 1 tbs soy sauce 1 tbs mirin 2 cups Spekko White Extra Long Grain Rice 1 tsp cooking oil 1 carrot, julienned 150g shimeji mushrooms 355ml shiitake soaking liquid ½ tsp salt To serve: 2 spring onions, sliced 1 nori sheet, cut into thin strips Wipe the shiitake mushrooms with a damp kitchen towel, then soak them in 2 cups of boiling water for at least 30 minutes. Cut the chicken into 1cm cubes. In a bowl, combine the chicken with the soy sauce and mirin, mix well, and marinate for at least 20 minutes. Wash the rice in a fine mesh sieve with cold water until it runs clear. Let the rice drain well, then…

SOUTH Africa’s first all-female Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team recently returned from competing on Malaysia’s global stage, using their platform to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) while breaking stereotypes in the male-dominated e-sports world. Despite facing tough competition, these five trailblazers are determined to transform their international experience into growth for South African e-sports. Team captain and former Durban resident, Rowell Reece Pillay, 23, now living in Johannesburg, said the journey began long before they boarded their flight to Malaysia. “I started gaming as a child and always loved PlayStation. I only started competing when I was 22. My family were very proud that I wanted to pursue this opportunity and supported me fully.” She said the selection was through a rigorous trial process led by experienced evaluators,…

THERE IS something I’ve learnt over time – and honestly, I’m still learning it every single day: women need women. Not in a dramatic way and not in a social-media slogan kind of way, but in a simple, real, “I understand because I’ve been there too”, way. Life can feel heavy, and many of us had to find our strength long before we felt ready for it. But I’ve seen again and again that when a woman rises, it creates a ripple. And when a stronger woman turns back to lift someone else, she doesn’t just help that one woman – she gently shifts the path for everyone connected to her. Supporting one another isn’t about being noble; it’s about being human. It’s about acknowledging that we are all navigating…

SOUTH Africa’s renewed call to raise the matric pass mark from 30% to 50% has reignited a national conversation about educational standards and expectations. At first glance, the proposal seems both logical and admirable. In a country striving to compete in a global economy where skills, competence and knowledge are paramount, a higher pass benchmark appears to signal seriousness about quality. Advocates argue that the current 30% pass level sets the bar too low, encouraging complacency, and failing to equip pupils for the demands of higher education and the job market. But beneath the surface, this proposal reveals a deep disconnect between aspiration and reality. Raising the pass mark sounds progressive only if one assumes that all pupils have equal access to resources, equal levels of support, and equal opportunities…

A PHOENIX woman and her husband charged with allegedly orchestrating her father’s murder for his R1.4 million pension, have been released on R2 000 bail each. Nicola Tasha Ramsamy, 36, of Lenham has been charged for the premeditated murder of her father, Arthur Brian Ramsamy, 62, a retired eThekwini Municipality employee, on October 5. Last month, Ramsamy, her husband, Brenden Sanichara, 37; and their co-accused, Mzwakhe Solly Mnguni, 38; and Ayabulela Mxoli, 31; applied for bail. At the time, Mnguni and Mxoli abandoned their bail application. In the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last week, Ramsamy and Sanichara were released on R2 000 bail each. The case was adjourned to January for further investigation It has been alleged that the couple paid Mnguni and Mxoli more than R3 500 to kill Arthur.…

THE eThekwini Municipality has stated that all customers, including government departments, are expected to settle their accounts or face disconnections according to the municipality’s credit control and debt collection policy. This follows the forced shutdown of vehicle licensing and testing centres in KwaZulu-Natal, which began towards the end of November after the municipality cut electricity and water services due to outstanding rates bills. The municipality’s policy states that “arrears on rates, services or any other consolidated debt may result in disconnection of any service or in a restriction of use of municipal facilities”. The closures, which have severely affected the public, staff and service delivery, occurred as many motorists rushed to convert their vehicle registration numbers to the new licence plate numbering system. Provincial Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma, stated on…

TEACHER unions and political leaders have demanded the immediate dismissal of teachers listed on the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) or the National Child Protection Register (NCPR) as shocking statistics reveal that 176 teachers have been found guilty of sexual misconduct. With over 80% of teachers still unvetted, experts call the current system “too slow” and “failing our children”. The call was made after the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) revealed to the portfolio committee on basic education that between 2021/22 and 2025/26, 176 teachers had been found guilty of sexual misconduct. Thirona Moodley, spokesperson for Naptosa KZN, said the vetting of teachers was not adequate to curb sexual crimes against pupils, unless it was done on a regular basis. “Teachers who have been found guilty of sexual misconduct…

Recent revelations expose a dangerous collusion between South African law enforcement officials and criminal syndicates, endangering whistle-blowers who expose corruption. Advocate Tseliso Thipanyane examines how this unholy alliance undermines democracy and what must be done to protect those who risk everything to uphold justice IN ANY democratic society rooted in respect for the rule of law, and the protection and promotion of human rights, law enforcement officials, especially the police, play an important role in upholding and enforcing the law in order to protect society from harm and wrongdoing, and bring to account those who break the law, and harm society and the people. On the role of the police in protecting society, the court in AK v Minister of Safety and Security and Others referred to the role of…

David Miller believes the upcoming Betway SA20 Season 4 will form a big part of the Proteas’ preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup next year. The Proteas have only eight remaining T20Is before their T20 World Cup opener against Canada in Ahmedabad on February 9, 2026, starting with yesterday’s clash against current champions India in Cuttack. However, upon the Proteas’ return from India, the SA20 gets under way on Boxing Day at Newlands for a month-long T20 festival of cricket spread across six stadiums around the country. Miller, who captains the Paarl Royals, feels the quality of the competition is of a high standard and will help the Proteas fine-tune some individual skills. “I think the standard in the competition in the SA20 is as high as any other…

Ruben Amorim said Manchester United have “improved a lot” after they climbed back into the race to qualify for the Uefa Champions League as Bruno Fernandes inspired a 4-1 rout of woeful Wolves on Monday. Amorim’s side recovered from their disappointing draw with lowly West Ham last week thanks to Fernandes’ double and goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount at Molineux. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde had cancelled out Fernandes’ opener with Wolves’ first goal in six games in all competitions and their first in the top flight since October 26. But Mbeumo, Mount and Fernandes netted after the interval to clinch only United’s second win in their last six matches. United suffered an embarrassing 1-0 home loss to 10-man Everton on November 24 and, 10 days later, boos greeted the final…

A total of 350 players are set to feature in the IPL 2026 mini auction on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi as the BCCI revealed the Player Auction list for the 2026 season yesterday. A total of 1 390 players registered for the Player Auction, out of which 350 players were shortlisted. Of the 350 players shortlisted, 240 are Indian and 110 from overseas. The pool comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year's auction roster. Franchises will compete for 77 available slots overall, including 31 spots reserved for overseas players. As many as 40 players have listed themselves at the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore, with Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi being…

Aries (March 21 – April 19) Health: slight inflammation, headaches, acidity – avoid overthinking. Relationship: old misunderstandings clear. Emotional bonding improves. Business/job: strong period – new collaborations, financial push. Lucky numbers: 3 and 9. Best travel months 2026: March, July and November. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Health: neck/shoulder stiffness, hormonal imbalance – improve sleep cycle. Relationship: stabilisation; singles attract committed partners. Business/job: slow, but steady growth. Avoid big risks. Lucky numbers: 6 and 15. Best travel months 2026: April, August and December. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Health: stress-related issues, scattered energy, low immunity for a few days. Relationship: mixed energies – communication important. Business/job: excellent for marketing, networking, signing deals. Lucky numbers: 5 and 14. Best travel months 2026: February, June and September. Cancer (June 21…

750g – 1kg deboned chicken thighs or drumsticks 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda Stir-fry sauce: ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup oyster sauce 2 tbs Chinese wine 2 tbs cornflour 1 tbs sugar 2 tbs toasted sesame oil 1 tsp ground white pepper Rice: 120ml vegetable oil, divided 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3 red chillies, chopped 3 shallots, thinly sliced 4 eggs, beaten 4 cups cooked Jasmine Long Grain White Rice 2 cups fresh holy basil, leafy parts (or use Italian basil) To serve: lime wedges Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken into cubes and mix with the bicarbonate of soda. Set aside for 30 minutes, then rinse and dry. Make the stir-fry sauce: In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese…

Red bean paste: 1/3 cup red beans water (for cooking the beans) 1/3 cup sugar Rice cakes: 1½ cups Spekko Jasmine Long Grain White Rice (soaked overnight) 1½ cups water a couple drops of red food colouring 1½ tbs sugar 6 tbs red bean paste 12 pickled Sakura leaves (optional), soaked for 30 minutes Make the red bean paste: Rinse the red beans and place them in a saucepan. Add enough water to cover the beans and bring to a boil. Discard the water. Add more water to the pot and bring to a boil again. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 1 hour until the beans are soft and can be mashed easily between your fingers. Drain the beans and return them to the pot.…

A SPECIALIST psychiatrist told the Durban Regional Court that Uveer Jaganath, accused of stabbing his mother 26 times, showed “inconsistent” behaviour and “manipulative” tendencies during assessment. The 24-year-old is accused of stabbing and killing his mother, Jessica Jaganath, 43, at their Clare Estate home on May 6, 2021. He claimed he had no memory of the incident due to drug use, but the psychiatrist testified there was nothing to suggest he was unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions. On Monday, Dr Mahomed Shaquir Salduker, a psychiatrist who gave evidence for the defence, said he had conducted a clinical assessment on Jaganath. He said he had done two single photon emission computed tomography (Spect) scans on Jaganath. He said the scan was a tool used to show the functioning…

SINCE the beginning of his second term in office, President Donald Trump has increased tariffs on all US imports from global trading partners. This action was swift and impactful, leaving many countries, including South Africa, grappling with the consequences. While the South African government has taken a diplomatic yet bold stance in response, it has not produced the urgent economic results we need. Last week, the US announced steep tariffs on key South African exports, coupled with cuts to essential funding for our health sector. This should alarm everyone who worries each day about putting food on the table or affording medical care. What may seem like distant trade policies or foreign aid manoeuvring, is already affecting daily life in towns, townships and rural areas across South Africa. To understand…

“AVOCADO on seeded bread, a poached egg and a mango juice please,” my guest rattled off to the waiter, eyes glued to his phone. I was still scanning the breakfast menu at the restaurant high up on Durban’s Berea, but it was near impossible to ignore the worried look that suddenly bathed my visitor’s face. Durban held him for a week’s work, and our hurried reunion was confined to just 45 minutes. Still, the shadow of unease was unmistakable, and I gently asked if something was amiss. “I got a traffic fine for shooting a red light,” he sighed, laying the phone aside, finally conceding that our conversation mattered more. “A traffic fine? Is that all? I was bracing myself for something far more grave,” I said. And that’s how…

AFTER a devastating tornado struck Tongaat, Seatides Combined School has been rebuilt thanks to an impressive R4 million which was raised through Lotus FM's “Making Lives Better” initiative and community support. The radio team's efforts were recognised on Saturday with a Telkom Radio Award for winning the Promotions Stunt Event PBS award for the Breakfast Express show’s initiative. Last July, the team held a live broadcast at the school where people reached out to pledge. At the time, O’Neil Nair, the host of the Breakfast Express, said “raising R4 million is a testament to Madiba’s Ubuntu spirit imbibed by the sponsors and donors”. Kola Govender, who was the school principal until his recent retirement, said after the tornado he received a call from the producer of the Breakfast Express show…

A TRAGIC incident in which a mother and grandmother committed suicide after allegedly killing a 14-year-old boy was reported from the Tavarekere area in Koramangala locality of Karnataka's Bengaluru on Monday, within the limits of the SG Palya Police Station, police officials said. The deceased have been identified as Maunish, 14, his mother, 38-year-old Sudha, and his grandmother, 68-year-old Muddamma. It is suspected they first poisoned the boy and then consumed poison themselves. Preliminary investigation indicates that the boy’s mother and grandmother took the extreme step due to mounting debt. Bengaluru deputy commissioner of police (south-east division), Sarah Fatima, visited the spot and examined whether a death note or any other evidence was present. Fatima said that a call was received on emergency number 112 reporting the deaths. When the…

THE South African government’s law enforcement agencies are becoming notorious for their failure, sheer incompetence, and carelessness in protecting vulnerable citizens. This includes witnesses, whistle-blowers, victims of widespread extortion, and – wait for it – the 144 psychiatric patients who were neglected at Gauteng health facilities and ultimately died. The Life Esidemeni incident remains a poignant reminder of the government’s inability to care for its most vulnerable citizens. The worst part about it is that those responsible for the loss of innocent lives were not held accountable. Just last week, a witness who appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was brutally gunned down. The implications of this latest and brazen killing of a whistle-blower who gave evidence at the commission are likely to scare future whistle-blowers and discourage them…

Proteas Women’s all-rounder Chloe Tryon told Independent Newspapers that they look to be ruthless when they are in a dominant position in the third and final T20I of the series against Ireland Women in Benoni today. South Africa were clinical in the opening match of the series at Newlands in Cape Town, beating Ireland by 105 runs on the back of captain Laura Wolvaardt’s second century in the format. However, despite winning the second match by 65 runs at Boland Park, the hosts showed a bit of complacency with the ball, allowing Ireland Women to find a way back into the game. Going into the third and final match of the series in Benoni, the Proteas Women have an unassailable 2-0 series victory, and Tryon told Independent Newspapers that the…

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef believes the upcoming AFCON break will provide his side with a valuable chance to sharpen their finishing and return stronger in 2026. Amakhosi have repeatedly been undone by their own inconsistencies, and although they have shown small signs of progress each week, they have seldom capitalised on them, continuing to drop crucial points. Their most recent goalless draw against TS Galaxy saw them fall further behind log leaders Orlando Pirates, with the gap now at four points after having played a game more. Chiefs are averaging just one goal per match in the 13 matches they have played and have yet to settle on a stable starting line-up. The constant rotation has prevented them from building reliable combinations, especially in attack, where understanding and…

What exactly separates elite level athletes from the rest of the field who have the same level of talent and skill? The word grit comes to mind when recounting the season that South African teenager Ruchè Moodley endured, overcoming two serious crashes only to get back on his bike and keep the show going. In his maiden season in the FIM Moto3 championship, Moodley placed 27th out of 40 riders with 14 points to his name. At the start of the season, Moodley accepted the monumental task ahead of him, going up against riders who grew up in Europe compared to his racing time in South Africa, which is drastically different in terms of exposure and facilities. He and his family carted their lives to Europe, and now live in…

BRITAIN-BASED producer/director Gurinder Chadha, who shot to fame over two decades ago with her movie, Bend it Like Beckham, is back with a tale combining the traits of the Indian-origin British generation with local Christmas traditions in this movie. Adapted from the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, Eshan Sood (Kunal Nayyar) reprises the character of the miser Scrooge in the book. He fires his entire staff on Christmas Eve because they are having an unauthorised Christmas party and even refuses to pay for extra electricity at his house for warming during the harsh winter of Christmas in the UK. As he prepares to spend the night alone, Sood is visited by the “Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future”, played by renowned actors Boy George and Eva Longoria, who…

1 tbs coconut oil 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1½ tbs red curry paste, more or less to taste 3 sticks lemongrass, peeled and bruised 1 red chilli, chopped 4 – 5 lime leaves, torn 1 red pepper, thinly sliced 1 carrot, thinly sliced 1 litre vegetable or fish stock 2 x 400ml can coconut milk 1 cup Spekko Jasmine Long Grain White Rice 1 tbs fish sauce 1½ cups button mushrooms 1 cup sugar snap peas, sliced horizontally 500g – 600g jumbo prawns, peeled and deveined lime juice to taste To serve: fresh coriander or Thai basil lime wedges Prepare the base: Heat the coconut oil in a large heavy-based pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and red curry paste, and sauté for about 1 minute…

Sushi rice: 2 cups Spekko Jasmine Long Grain White Rice 5 tbs rice vinegar 1½ tbs sugar 1/3 tsp salt Kinshi Tamago: 2 eggs ¼ tsp salt oil For the other toppings: 4 cooked prawns 120g fresh tuna sashimi 120g fresh yellow tail sashimi 120g fresh salmon sashimi ½ avocado Garnish: shredded nori shiso leaves, thinly sliced (can be replaced with mint, Thai basil, sweet basil, grape leaves, lemon basil, lemon thyme, green onion, or coriander) red and black fish roe Japanese cucumber, very thinly sliced sesame seeds, toasted lemon, thinly sliced soy sauce Prepare the rice: Cook the rice according to the instructions on the package. After it is cooked, mix the rice vinegar, sugar and salt together. Once the rice has cooled slightly, transfer…

MORE than 20 Phoenix residents are demanding accountability after allegedly paying their life savings to a property developer implicated in the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) report. The report revealed irregular land sales and corrupt relationships between developers and municipal officials. The residents claimed they had paid hundreds of thousands of rand, but had not received completed homes or transfers, despite court orders. The residents said they had approached one of the developers whose name was mentioned in the SIU report (the developer’s name is known to the POST) to purchase properties. They said the developer had failed to deliver on the houses, ignored court orders, and resold properties. The residents have since opened criminal cases, and laid complaints with the SIU and the office of the eThekwini Mayor. Thasmeena Moola,…

IF THE internet were a city, it would be a dizzying mash-up of Times Square, a university library, a dodgy nightclub, and a kindergarten playground, open all night, bright, loud, and full of people who should probably be supervised. Most of us stroll through this digital city daily: scrolling, posting, sharing memes we think are funnier than they really are. But some unlucky people bump into the dark alleyways of the online world where trolls lurk, insults fly, and harassment feels as real as someone pounding on your actual front door. Online harassment isn’t just “mean comments” or “someone having a bad day”. It’s persistent, targeted behaviour intended to intimidate, degrade, silence or scare. It might arrive as hundreds of messages from anonymous profiles. It might be revenge porn shared…

THE festive season has arrived, and with it, the familiar pattern: bonuses hit bank accounts, shopping carts overflow, and credit cards swipe with abandon. We have all been here before. Yet somehow, January always catches us off guard – that endless month where the rent is due, school fees loom, and the refrigerator seems perpetually empty. But what if this year could be different? The uncomfortable truth about our December habits Recent data reveals a sobering reality: 73% of South Africans planned to spend the same or less during the 2023 festive season, yet household debt-to-income ratios reached 70% – the highest since 2017. We know we should spend less, but knowing and doing remain worlds apart. The problem is not lack of information. We are drowning in budgeting advice.…

THE government has initiated an urgent review of legislation to address sexual misconduct in schools after alarming statistics revealed 469 cases involving teachers over six years. Education officials are calling for stronger vetting processes and a centralised database to prevent offenders from re-entering the system. This followed a briefing by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) and the South African Council for Educators (Sace) to the portfolio committee on basic education on their roles and functions in addressing sexual misconduct and harassment in schools. Committee members called for paedophiles to be “weeded out” of schools. The committee also wanted the vetting to include all people working in schools, not only teachers. The briefing included the number of cases handled relating to teacher misconduct, consequence management, programmes for the professional development…

SOUTH Africa’s long-standing 30% matric pass benchmark has once again sparked national debate, following a parliamentary motion by Build One South Africa (Bosa) to raise the minimum requirement to 50%. Last week, the National Assembly rejected a motion to raise the minimum pass mark for matric subjects from 30% to 50%. The motion, tabled by Bosa under leader Mmusi Maimane, was rejected. Maimane said the current low minimum mark entrenched mediocrity, undermined the credibility of the school system, and left young people ill-prepared for tertiary education or a competitive job market. The ANC and the DA opposed the reform, while a coalition of opposition parties, including the EFF, IFP and MK Party supported the motion. Education experts, pupils and university students shared their views on whether the current threshold supported…

Real Madrid desperately need superstar Kylian Mbappé at his magical best today in a pivotal Uefa Champions League clash against Manchester City and their unstoppable striker Erling Haaland. After just two victories in seven matches, fractures have emerged in Xabi Alonso's Madrid project, with some Spanish media reporting that a defeat against City could lead to a premature dismissal. So often this season Madrid have underwhelmed but been rescued by Mbappé's lethal brilliance, scoring 25 goals in 21 games to lead the scoring charts both in Spain and in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's City are spearheaded by Norwegian international Haaland, who has 20 goals in 20 games across all competitions and, along with Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, is Mbappé's only rival as the standout star of the current season.…

Bafana Bafana have found it difficult to clear the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) barrier since their 1996 success, but former striker Shaun Bartlett believes the upcoming tournament may offer South Africa an ideal chance to claim a second continental title. Under Hugo Broos, the team has grown into one of the more promising national sides in recent memory. The upcoming tournament not only offers them a chance to build on that progress but also to lay a strong foundation for their upcoming World Cup campaign. Since their 1996 victory, South Africa have struggled to meet expectations. Their best subsequent result was a runners-up finish in 1998, while their third-place finish in the 2000 and 2023 edition was their most notable performance since that 1998 loss to Egypt (2-0) in…

While this was not a World Cup- winning year for the Springboks – and if there had been a World Cup, they would surely have won it – the year 2025 is right up there in their “best ever” category. If we include the warm-up match against the Barbarians, the Boks played 15 matches, losing just two for an 86% record. That is the best Springbok return in the modern era, but not the best in history. In the first half of the 20th century, up to the famous 4-0 whitewash of the All Blacks in 1949, the Boks almost routinely finished the year unbeaten for a 100% record, but the issue is that they averaged just five Tests per year. Maybe the best way to evaluate how good a…