Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• More than 40,000 people were shown waiting online when the general Comrades ballot opened on 9 September.

• Only 28,000 runners can enter the 2027 race, and organisers say increasing that number would be difficult.

Thousands of runners hoping to take part in the 2027 Comrades Marathon could miss out as demand reaches record levels.

Organisers introduced a ballot this year after all 22,000 entries for the 2026 race sold out in less than 10 hours.

Instead of first come, first served, runners now enter a lucky draw for a place.

The 2027 race will be the 100th Comrades and will have a record 28,000 runners.

Most places are being offered through the general ballot, which opened on 9 September and closes on 22 September.

Race director Sue Forge said organisers had seen “unprecedented interest”.

On the first day, the online system at times showed more than 40,000 people waiting in the queue, The Citizen reported.

That does not necessarily mean 40,000 individual runners applied because some people may have joined on more than one device.

Forge said organisers would release confirmed numbers only after the ballot closes and the draw is completed.

But even with the bigger field, thousands could still miss out.

Forge said increasing the number of runners beyond 28,000 would be difficult.

The Comrades is an ultra-marathon between two cities, which creates safety and logistical limits.

Organisers must consider how many runners the route can safely handle, how much daylight is available and how spectators are managed.

Every runner must also be given the full 12 hours allowed to complete the race.

The 2027 Comrades will be a down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on 13 June.

Pictured above: The Comrades Marathon.

Image source: @ComradesRace/X

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Swimming South Africa has agreed to pay Tatjana Smith the interest she claimed was owed on delayed prize money.

• Smith is still seeking documents explaining Swimming SA’s Arena kit deal and how it affects athletes’ sponsorship rights.

Swimming South Africa has agreed to pay Olympic champion Tatjana Smith the interest she claimed was owed on prize money held for more than a year.

According to Daily Maverick, the agreement followed a letter of demand sent by Smith and her husband Joel through attorney Wian Spies.

Spies said all the interest would be paid, but he would not reveal the amount.

The dispute goes back to prize money Smith won at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships.

She earned $15,000 for silver in the 100m breaststroke and $20,000 for gold in the 200m event.

Her lawyers claimed Swimming SA held the money for more than a year before finally paying it in 2024.

They said the payment did not include the interest earned while the federation held the money.

Swimming SA operations manager Mafata Modutoane was accused in a legal letter of saying he had kept the interest as a “management fee”.

Modutoane later denied keeping the money.

While the interest dispute is moving towards an end, Smith’s fight with Swimming SA is continuing.

Her lawyers want documents showing what Swimming SA agreed with swimwear company Arena.

They also want policies explaining what kit swimmers must wear and records of fines imposed for using other brands.

Smith previously faced a proposed €46,000 fine after competing in Speedo swimwear and goggles while wearing an Arena cap.

Her lawyers said the fine was later withdrawn.

Spies has now taken the matter to the Information Regulator after Swimming SA allegedly failed to respond to a formal information request within the required time.

Smith’s legal team argues that the Arena agreement may affect athletes’ ability to earn money from their own sponsors.

The Information Regulator must now decide whether Swimming SA should be ordered to hand over some or all of the requested documents.

Pictured above: Tatjana Smith.

Image source: File

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Sandile Zungu lost the Safa presidency 157-82 to Danny Jordaan and says he will not challenge the result.

• Zungu criticised problems before the vote but accepted Jordaan’s victory despite claims some supportive regions were unfairly treated.

Sandile Zungu has accepted defeat in the Safa presidential election and says he will not challenge Danny Jordaan’s victory.

Jordaan won 157 votes to Zungu’s 82 at Saturday’s elective congress in Midrand.

The result gives Jordaan a fourth term as president of the South African Football Association.

But the election followed a controversial build-up.

A day before the congress, Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao told KwaZulu-Natal’s Harry Gwala region that it could not take part in the vote.

The region was rumoured to support Zungu.

There were also allegations that another region backing Jordaan was allowed to participate even though it had not held an elective congress.

Zungu said the process before voting was not good enough.

“The processes leading up to the adoption of credentials were less than satisfactory,” he said, News24 reported.

But he made it clear that he would not take legal action.

“I just accept that I lost the election. The winner was accepted as the winner.”

That is different from what happened after the 2022 election, when Ria Ledwaba and Solly Mohlabeng challenged Jordaan’s victory through the courts.

Zungu also refused to describe Jordaan’s win as a bad result for South African football.

“It is not a sad day,” he said. “At best, it will sound like sour grapes. I congratulated him.”

Zungu said South Africans could decide for themselves whether the result was good for football.

He also thanked the people, communities and organisations who supported his campaign.

Zungu has not ruled out another attempt at the presidency in four years.

“I am not sure. It’s still early to say, but honestly, I will sleep on it,” he said.

For now, he says the election is over.

“I really believe that we all fought a good fight. It was a positive fight.”

Pictured above: Sandile Zungu.

Image source: @Safa_Net/X

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Danny Jordaan beat Sandile Zungu 157-82 to win a fourth Safa term, keeping him in charge until 2030.

• Jordaan says regions back him for football development, despite Safa’s financial problems, governance criticism and his fraud case.

Danny Jordaan says the people who keep voting for him understand South African football better than many of his critics.

Jordaan beat Sandile Zungu 157-82 to win a fourth term as South African Football Association president.

The result will keep the 75-year-old in charge until 2030.

Jordaan believes Safa’s regions continue supporting him because they see progress in coaching, player development and national teams.

“It is because they really study football,” Jordaan said. “They are on the ground, understand what is happening.”

Jordaan has led Safa since 2013, winning elections in 2018, 2022 and now 2026.

He said regions asked him to remain despite previously saying his last term would end in 2026.

A major part of his argument is coach education.

Jordaan says South Africa has produced more qualified coaches and that better coaching is helping produce better players.

He also points to recent national-team results.

South Africa’s Under-17, Under-20 and senior men’s teams all reached Fifa World Cups in the same cycle, while Amajita won the African championship.

But News24 reported that serious problems remain.

Some Safa regions have little funding, some leagues struggle to pay clubs and officials and many regions have not produced audited financial statements for years.

Results in women’s football have also been mixed, with the Under-17 and Under-20 teams missing their World Cups and Banyana Banyana needing playoffs to reach the next tournament.

Safa itself is under financial pressure, while Jordaan is facing fraud charges. He has maintained his innocence.

Pictured above: Danny Jordaan.

Image source: @SAFA_Net/X

By Razeen Gutta

Bjorn Fortuin led from the front with career-best figures as South Africa romped to a nine-wicket win over Namibia in the third and final ODI on Sunday to complete a 3-0 whitewash.

Winning the toss for the third successive time, the hosts opted to bat first and were again exposed by the gulf in class between the two sides.

The Namibians were bundled out for 156 in 36.2 overs.

Captain Fortuin claimed 4/33 in his 10 overs, bamboozling the hosts with flight and control, while Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch struck early to remove Michael van Lingen and Jan Frylinck.

A 53-run stand between Alexander Busing-Volschenk and Louren Steenkamp briefly steadied the innings, but Steenkamp’s dismissal triggered a collapse of three wickets for seven runs.

Zane Green hit 33 and Max Heingo smashed an unbeaten 20 off six balls to add late cheer, before Fortuin ended the innings with a stunning diving catch running back.

Chasing 157, openers Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen made light work of it.

Hermann smashed 77 off 59 balls and Esterhuizen finished 68 not out, combining for 17 fours and three sixes.

Waldo Smith yorked Hermann for his first international wicket, but Dewald Brevis sealed victory with a huge six in the 22nd over, wrapping up the contest nice and early..

Hermann was named Player of the Series.

Pictured above: Proteas

Source: @cricbuzz

By Razeen Gutta

Erling Haaland fired Manchester City to a famous 1-0 derby day victory at Old Trafford to maintain Enzo Maresca’s perfect start.

City’s Sunday looked in ruins after just 23 minutes when Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes after the United captain had fouled him. The Portugal international escaped a red himself after an initial kick to Foden’s back.

Despite being a man down, City were the more dangerous side.

Kobbie Mainoo blocked Rayan Cherki’s effort and Youri Tielemans almost turned Antoine Semenyo’s cross into his own net.

United’s best moments came via the woodwork, with a Marcus Rashford free-kick crashing off the post before Mainoo curled onto the upright after the break.

The winner arrived on the hour mark and was shrouded in controversy.

Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross was swept home by Haaland, with VAR ruling him onside and deciding Enzo Fernandez was not interfering after stooping to head the ball himself.

Haaland and Fernandez both hit the post late, but City held firm, with Gianluigi Donnarumma denying Bryan Mbeumo in stoppage time after a fine Fernandes pass.

The victory leaves City and Arsenal locked on 12 points, after the Gunners beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Liverpool and Chelsea only managed draws against Fulham and Hull City respectively.

Pictured above: Manchester City

Source: @mancity

By Razeen Gutta

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns both slipped up in the league this weekend. While the big boys were held to 1-1 draws, newcomers Milford FC stole the show with a 5-1 thrashing.

The action started on Friday at the Athlone Stadium, where Bradley Grobler’s late equaliser rescued a point for Stellenbosch FC after Bethuel Muzeu had put Sekhukhune United ahead.

On Saturday, Chiefs failed to capitalise on Orlando Pirates’ absence due to CAF commitments.

Lebohang Maboe gave Amakhosi a deserved lead at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium against Polokwane City, but a costly error from Brandon Petersen saw Giovanni Philander’s corner drift straight in for a 1-1 draw.

Sundowns suffered similar frustration at the Buffalo City Stadium.

Sirgio Kammies looked to have earned Chippa United a first-ever win over Masandawana with a late strike, only for Antonio Van Wyk’s heavily deflected effort deep in stoppage time to salvage a point.

Sundowns move seven points clear, but have played three games more than Pirates.

AmaZulu leapfrogged Chiefs into third after Thabowenkosi Ngwenya’s ninth goal of the season sealed a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants.

Sunday belonged to Milford, who thrashed 10-man Richards Bay 5-1 after Lindokuhle Zikhali’s first-half red card, while Kruger United earned their first top-flight win, 1-0 over TS Galaxy.

Pictured above: Amakhosi held by Polokwane City

Source: @kcfcofficial

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Danny Jordaan and Sandile Zungu are fighting for the Safa presidency, with 265 votes available at Saturday’s election.

• Zungu promises better governance and football development, while Jordaan is relying on strong regional support to win another term.

The battle for control of South African football will be decided on Saturday when Danny Jordaan faces Sandile Zungu for the Safa presidency.

According to TimesLIVE, 265 votes will be available at the South African Football Association’s elective conference in Midrand.

The votes come from Safa regions, its National Executive Committee, associate members and special members.

Jordaan, 75, has led Safa since 2013 and is chasing a fourth term.

But Zungu, 59, has given him his toughest election challenge yet.

The AmaZulu chairman has built his campaign around improving governance and rebuilding football from the grassroots.

“We have stopped dreaming,” Zungu said.

He wants stronger school football, women’s football and greater accountability inside Safa.

“It also lies in us fixing governance and becoming a lot more accountable,” he said.

TimesLIVE reported that the race appears close, although Jordaan still has strong backing among Safa’s regions and executive members.

Zungu has even struggled to secure support in his home province.

KwaZulu-Natal Safa chairperson Kwenza Ngwenya has backed Jordaan, saying the current president deserves credit for the recent performances of South Africa’s national teams.

Jordaan’s supporters have pointed to Bafana Bafana reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 Fifa World Cup and other national teams qualifying for major tournaments.

But his leadership has faced criticism over football development and governance.

Jordaan has also been appearing in court since his 2024 arrest alongside Safa chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo over accusations that Safa resources were used for his personal benefit.

Jordaan has maintained his innocence.

He has also successfully fought off challengers in the 2018 and 2022 Safa elections.

Now delegates must decide whether he stays in charge or whether Zungu pulls off a major upset and takes South African football in a new direction.

Pictured above: Safa house.

Image source: File

By Razeen Gutta

Manchester United celebrated their Uefa Champions League comeback with a commanding 4-0 win over Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday after Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 and Arsenal overcame Napoli 1-0 on Wednesday.

Matheus Cunha opened his account for the season after 27 minutes from Patrick Dorgu’s cross, before captain Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead from Youri Tielemans’ assist.

Benjamin Sesko then rounded keeper Stas Pokatilov to make it 3-0 before the break after being played in by Bryan Mbeumo.

Joy-Lance Mickels had missed a huge chance to equalise for the debutants from five yards and United punished them.

Lisandro Martinez added a fourth after a scramble from Joshua Zirkzee’s backheel, allowing boss Michael Carrick to hand Champions League debuts to youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.

City, who will make the short trip to Old Trafford on the weekend, picked up a 2-0 win away at Porto with Erling Haaland netting a brace for Enzo Marseca’s side on Tuesday.

Real Madrid beat Inter 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Tuesday as well while Aston Villa were 3-2 victors over Club Brugge.

On Wednesday, Liverpool came back from behind to beat Atletico Madrid at Anfield while Martin Odegaard got the winner for Arsenal in Naples. Barcelona were 5-1 winners over Feyenoord.

In Italy, Cesc Fabregas’s Como enjoyed a dream debut in the competition, thrashing RB Leipzig 4-1 on Thursday.

Martin Baturina, Tasos Douvikas and Assane Diao put them in control before Andrija Maksimovic pulled one back, with Maximo Perrone sealing it late.

Bayern Munich had to work before eventually putting away Bodo Glimt 5-0.

Jamal Musiala, on his return after a medical scare during pre-season, opened the scoring, before Harry Kane headed in from Michael Olise. The England captain has now scored in eight straight Champions League games.

Alphonso Davies and two from Olise completed the rout with the German champions looking dominant in the second period.

Pictured above: Manchester United

Source: @utd.basis

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Sascoc president Barry Hendricks has been suspended while anonymous complaints against him go through the organisation’s judicial process.

• His suspension adds to investigations and suspensions involving senior leaders in athletics, swimming, karate and netball.

South African sport has been hit by another leadership controversy after Sascoc president Barry Hendricks was suspended with immediate effect.

The SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee announced the temporary suspension on Wednesday while an internal process continues.

Retired judge Basheer Waglay was appointed to investigate several anonymous complaints against Hendricks.

Sascoc said Waglay found enough initial evidence for the complaints to be referred to the organisation’s judicial body for further action.

The organisation stressed that Hendricks had not been found guilty of wrongdoing.

“The suspension does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing,” Sascoc said.

It said the move was necessary to protect the organisation and allow a fair investigation.

Reports cited by The Citizen said anonymous emails accused Hendricks of, among other things, trying to persuade board members to support a preferred candidate for an empty seat on Sascoc’s executive committee.

Those allegations will now go through Sascoc’s judicial process.

Vice-president Lwandile Simelane will temporarily take over as head of the board.

Hendricks is the latest senior South African sports official to face suspension or investigation.

Athletics SA president James Moloi and Swimming SA president Alan Fritz have also been suspended.

The entire Karate South Africa executive committee remains suspended by the World Karate Federation, including president Sonny Pillay.

World Netball is also investigating former Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane on various charges. She has since been replaced as president.

Pictured above: Barry Hendricks.

Image source: Barry Hendricks/Facebook