Keeping it light and interesting
After writing the previous piece on Bafana’s premature exit from CHAN and their woeful decline over the past 15 or 16 years, it was easy to criticise and explain away their efforts at mediocrity (or worse).  But perhaps that is too easy.  Perhaps some plans and ideas to make it right would balance this process of examination. By … Read more
When Nigeria knocked Bafana out of CHAN – The African Nations Championship – on Sunday [3-1], it was just another in a long line of disappointing exits suffered by the national team who either can’t or don’t care about winning big tournaments. By Michael Marnewick South African soccer has failed to sustain the early successes … Read more
Holding aloft a trophy, the champion has arrived. The gladiatorial conquest is accomplished. The captain leading his troops in battle has vanquished the enemy and he stands proud. The victor. The face of the victorious. He is your captain. By Michael Marnewick Jean de Villiers will continue to lead the Stormers, with able back-up of … Read more
I am easily satisfied with the very best (Winston Churchill) One of the great privileges of the Twenty First Century is the enormous range of choices afforded consumers, for just about anything one can think of. Cars, washing machines, coffee makers, branded clothes, smart devices, and bicycles! While the depth and breadth of choices are … Read more
The Cape Cobras, heavily weighted in terms of South Africa’s top cricketing talent, defeated the Highveld Lions on Wednesday by 15 runs and sit comfortably at the top of the log table with three wins from four matches, while the Lions are rooted to the bottom without registering a solitary win so far in the … Read more
From the Associated Press: After an illustrious unbeaten career on the track, champion racehorse Frankel is starting to make his mark off it. Frankel, widely regarded as one of racing’s greatest horses, fathered his first foal on Saturday when 6-year-old Chrysanthemum gave birth to a bay colt at Coolmore Stud in Ireland. The stud said … Read more
Of the South African sides competing in this year’s Super Rugby competition, most have had player losses, but the Bulls appear to have been the hardest hit of all, with a number of Springboks leaving the franchise in search of new challenges. The Stormers and Cheetahs are not far behind. By Michael Marnewick The loss … Read more
In the final installment of the three part series, we check out the South African sides participating in this year’s Super Rugby competition and identify the possible/probable/potential tournament victor. By Michael Marnewick Starting with the team least likely to dominate the competition, the Lions are back after being replaced by the Southern Kings last year and not a … Read more
The King is Dead. Long Live the King! Jacques Kallis was stoic, even heroic, striding out to the crease, secure in the knowledge that his experience and ability – and perhaps most importantly, his temperament – would carry him and his team through. By Michael Marnewick With the Australians in town next month and the … Read more
‘Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race’ – H. G. Wells. I am crazy about mountain biking (MTBing). For me, it is not a pastime, neither a sport, nor a recreational diversion. It is all of these, and more. MTBing is as … Read more