Orlando Pirates quoted R20 million for ‘Mofokeng replacement’

Orlando Pirates will need to fork out big money to sign a replacement for Relebohile Mofokeng. Fortunately, they recouped a big fee for the 21-year-old.

Pirates look to Cape Town for their Mofokeng replacement

The search for Relebohile Mofokeng’s successor at Orlando Pirates is well and truly underway. The club is doubling down on efforts to sign Cape Town City star Emile Witbooi, but the 17-year-old will come at a cost. albergomalica.it

Pirates could have found the new Mbokazi too

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a physically gifted central defender with crisp distribution skills and an ability to bring the ball out of defence. Mbokazi makes up for his lack of height with electric recovery speed. His stock rose sharply in the World Cup, attracting interest from Napoli and Nottingham Forest. In 20-year-old Cristian Derbyshire, Pirates have a player with a similar stylistic profile.

Messi aims for immortality

Defending champions Argentina survived an almighty scare, coming from 2-0 down with 11 minutes on the clock, to eventually beat Egypt in a thriller. The great Lionel Messi was at the forefront, as he usually is, missing a penalty on 21 minutes but atoning spectacularly with an assist for Cristian Romero’s 79th-minute goal and then a goal of his own on 83 minutes. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez completed the stunning comeback in stoppage time. Messi and Argentina meet Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday morning in the quarter-finals.

BlogLes compétences essentielles pour réussir une prise au cricketL'importance des prises en cricket Le cricket, sport qui mêle technique, endurance et stratégie, repose en grande partie sur la capacité des joueurs à attraper la balle.Ouvrir →

En Afrique du Sud, les étrangers continuent de quitter en masse le territoire, volontairement ou non. Le comité interministériel chargé des migrations a annoncé dimanche 12 juillet 2026 que plus de 53 000 personnes ont été expulsées et rapatriées ces dernières semaines, principalement des ressortissants malawites. Les tensions, qui ont culminé lors des manifestations du 30 juin, sont un peu retombées, mais des groupes anti-migrants continuent, de façon plus sporadique, à manifester et à mener des opérations de porte à porte pour traquer les immigrés illégaux.

Rieko Ioane has been handed an unexpected All Blacks recall after injuries forced coach Dave Rennie to bolster his outside-back stocks.

The All Blacks face another tough assignment this weekend – this time Ireland in a Nations Championship showdown at Eden Park.

The experienced back has joined the squad in Auckland after left wing Leroy Carter picked up an injury in last weekend’s win over Italy in Wellington.

Carter was forced off during the match and looks doubtful for the clash against the Irish, while fellow wing Fehi Fineanganofo is also battling a shoulder injury.

Ioane’s return comes just weeks after his omission from Rennie’s first All Blacks squad of the year sparked widespread debate. The veteran, who spent part of the season on sabbatical with Irish giants Leinster, had been tipped to return later in the campaign.

“It’s just to give us a bit of outside-back cover,” Rennie explained.

MORE: Rennie warns ‘passive’ All Blacks to buck up

The All Blacks coach stopped short of confirming whether Ioane would feature against Ireland, with New Zealand set to name their match 23 on Thursday.

Rennie did, however, provide positive news on the injury front elsewhere.

Loose forward Luke Jacobson, who was replaced at half-time against Italy, and lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who withdrew before the France Test with calf tightness, are both expected to be available for selection.

“There’s a lot of competition for places,” Rennie said. “Based on performances over the last couple of weeks, we’ll make some calls around that.

“There will be some really unlucky people missing out because guys have fronted pretty well for us, but the competition is tight.

“It’s a healthy problem to have.”

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There was less encouraging news for former captain Scott Barrett, with Rennie confirming the lock will not recover from back surgery in time for next month’s tour to South Africa.

Barrett missed the entire Super Rugby Pacific season after undergoing surgery and has now officially been ruled out of the trip.

There was better news regarding young lock Fabian Holland, who is recovering well from a shoulder injury. Rennie said Holland is expected to return for Otago in the NPC before pushing for All Blacks selection for the South African tour.

“It will just be nice for him to get some game time for Otago and then hopefully be available,” Rennie said.

Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

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