Intentar ORO - Gratis
Challenge Cup Lions forced to shuffle pack for Lyon clash
The Star
|January 08, 2026
THE Lions are far from throwing in the towel in the EPCR Challenge Cup, stressing that matches like Saturday’s visit of French side Lyon to Ellis Park (5.15pm kickoff) are key to building momentum in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and improving squad depth.
Despite back-to-back defeats in their opening two Challenge Cup pool matches, the Lions remain mathematically alive in the competition, knowing that victories in their final two fixtures could still secure a playoff berth.
More importantly, the coaching staff believe the competition provides a platform to sharpen performance levels and prepare a wider group of players for the demands of the URC, where they are in the playoff spots in seventh place, basking in the afterglow of the weekend's derby win against the Sharks.
The weekend's victory in Durban came at a cost, however, with Ruan Venter's red card for a dangerous tackle on Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi earning the forward a four-match suspension.
Esta historia es de la edición January 08, 2026 de The Star.
Suscríbete a Magzter GOLD para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9000 revistas y periódicos.
¿Ya eres suscriptor? Iniciar sesión
MÁS HISTORIAS DE The Star
The Star
Teen builds Al diffusion model while achieving academic excellence
TRINITYHOUSE student Tristan Jay Neale is a remarkable example of tenacity and ingenuity during a challenging academic year.
1 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
'WE'RE NOT LAZY,' YOUTH HIT BACK AT MANTASHE
Rustenburg young people express pain and frustration over unemployment
3 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Ramlal: Balancing academics with competition
SASHEN Ramlal, a Crawford International Lonehill matriculant, has balanced national-level academic competition with a demanding subject load, through discipline, resilience, and unwavering focus.
1 min
January 12, 2026
The Star
Treasury releases withheld funds to 75 municipalities, urges tighter fiscal discipline
THE National Treasury and the South African Local Government Association (Salga) have confirmed that the December tranche of the Local Government Equitable Share (LGES) was disbursed over the festive period to 75 municipalities whose funds had been withheld due to financial mismanagement.
1 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Wentzel's triumph over academic and health hurdles
FOR Celia Falconer Wentzel of Crawford International Sandton, the matric year unfolded with an uncommon sense of calm rather than chaos.
1 min
January 12, 2026
The Star
How Africa can turn fragmented mineral belts into coherent regional value chains
In 2023, a mine operating along the Central African Copperbelt moved its first test consignment through the Lobito Corridor, using the refurbished rail spine that links the Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola's Atlantic coast.
4 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
How Tshegofatso Mashatola turned around academic disappointment
FROM academic disappointment to well-earned distinction, Tshegofatso Mashatola of Crawford International Ruimsig turned one of her toughest matric lows into a powerful comeback story defined by resilience, reflection and reward.
1 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Life coach's reign of terror laid bare in ‘Evil Influencer’
DOCUMENTARIES like this aren't made for comfort.
3 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Copper lure drives Rio Tinto into R3.4trln merger talks with Glencore
Shares in Glencore surge 10% on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, closing at over R100-per-share
2 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Meta partners with US nuclear companies to power AI data centers
TECH giant Meta has announced major agreements with three US nuclear energy companies that it says will add up to 6.6 gigawatts of clean power by 2035.
2 mins
January 12, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size