When Clifton College‘s Director of Water Polo chose to move to Hilton College after 10 very successful years at the Durban school Clifton knew there were not many coaches of Martin’s quality who could replace him as the head of their impressive water polo programme they reached beyond South Africa’s borders to find his replacement who represented the South African men’s water polo team for two decades as a player who had spent the last two years in New Zealand and when he was presented with an opportunity to take charge of ne of South Africa’s leading water polo-playing schools it was too tempting an opportunity to turn it down He brings with him vast experience of water polo in South African schools and a very successful record Le Roux learnt the game from Vladimir Trninic at St John’s College and began coaching at the school under Trninic who has built up a remarkable family tree of coaches Ahead of the St Andrew’s College (SAC) Shield Le Roux said: “He has a lot of coaches there the head coach of St John’s is there and Michael Stewart [coach of St Stithians] was coached by him at OG Eagles “Vlado can be very proud of what he has produced in the calibre of players and coaches over the years.” he spent two years at Hamilton Boys’ High He has coached provincial teams from the u13 to the u19 age group Le Roux recalled: “I’ve won IPT titles with the Gauteng u19 girls I’ve won with the Gauteng u15 boys and the u15 girls “There are a whole lot of silver medals that I don’t like to talk about,” he said with a laugh “I think I went for five years in a row losing in the final and it is good to be in those situations.” Much like Trninic tapped into St John’s alumni to coach and boost that school’s programme Le Roux will follow that successful model at Clifton He arrived back in  South Africa earlier this month and feels Clifton water polo is in a good place because of the high-quality coaches at the school “The junior programme seems to be strong,” he said “It comes down to the coaching we have in the Prep school where Shaun Ferreira is doing a fantastic job “Then, Todd Howard, who is a current Springbok, is coaching the u14s. Again, something that I try to encourage is if you are a Clifton Old Boy, and you are still playing, get involved. Mitch Slade, a former Clifton boy [who made SA Schools in 2023] is also back and coaching.” Given the long move he had to make from New Zealand Le Roux hasn’t had the luxury to properly prepare his side for the forthcoming season and it’s going to take him some time to get to know his players he said: “The boys’ programme [at Clifton] has been very competitive over the last few years There will be an expectation of Clifton to do well so my traditional pre-season approach to training has not happened I know that my guys are maybe not as conditioned as they should be but we have worked hard the last 10 days or so we have to be realistic about our expectations We are going there with a slightly younger side but a side that is reasonably fit and reasonably strong “It will be a good indication of where we are compared to the top 10 national teams and it gives us six weeks to prepare for the KES tournament use the SAC Shield as an opportunity to assess his players under tournament pressure to get a feel for the character of the individuals when the chips are down you have three or four years with a player during which you can identify the character and the nature of the boy You have to try to protect them in those situations Clifton edged out Westville Boys’ High and a team they will face on the opening day Being asked to take charge at Clifton presents him with a unique opportunity especially because when the College was founded which laid the foundation for its success in the sport and boys are now heavily involved in many other sports because Clifton usually competes with larger schools but the tradition of water polo excellence remains Knowing that Clifton is prepared to keep investing in the sport was a strong selling point when he was approached about the job: “For any coach that’s what you want from your employer You want to know that you’ve got the backing of the school that they’re willing to overcome the hurdles that we will Clifton’s new man in charge insists he values other things more than that He explained: You’re dealing with young men that are socially active they don’t want to miss out on that aspect You want to encourage them to have a balanced lifestyle and that is something that I have always preached to my athletes “It’s a three-pronged approach “You’re a student-athlete until you sign a professional contract Not many guys end up being a Cristiano Ronaldo Your academics are still the most important thing and then finding the balance elsewhere.” Le Roux’s ambitions extend beyond leading Clifton to success He wants to see KwaZulu-Natal’s and South Africa’s water polo succeed One of the ways to make that happen is to reintroduce a national programme and Clifton has the facilities to support those endeavours He said: “I’ve already spoken with our Headmaster and our Head of Sport about bringing our national programmes here with the boarding house offering athlete packages where they can come here for five days “Our national programme desperately needs involvement from the schools trying to get that active and get it going.” of even greater importance to Le Roux is growing the game at club and university level our biggest problem is not maladministration and Swimming South Africa it’s the retention of players after school,” he explained you’ve got well over a thousand athletes playing but if [at tertiary level] you go to a South African Student Sports Union (SASSU) tournament you’re lucky if you have two competent teams That’s where our club structures and our university leagues are failing us.” while helping them to find a balance in life and not overworking them in their school years can help turn the tide He’ll work hard to guide players with international ambitions It’s about being there with your mates and building good memories “My best memories are still my tours with my friends at school Those are lasting friendships that I have made my best memories are still my school ones.” He hopes that the boys under his guidance will one day be able to say the same thing Pinnacle Schools is the go-to website for all school news in South Africa Willie le Roux is proving he’s one old dog who certainly can learn new tricks the man from the Western Cape has been one of the finest full-backs in the game starring for the Springboks in two World Cup triumphs But now he’s adding another string to his bow, having switched to fly-half for the Vodacom Bulls. After impressing during a 30-minute cameo in the role off the bench against the Emirates Lions last month, he has been handed the No 10 jersey for the subsequent Vodacom URC games against the DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Emirates Lions. Now he has yet another big South African derby coming up this weekend as the third-placed Bulls host the DHL Stormers in a return clash at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld. His coach Jake White has made it clear just what an important job Le Roux is doing with the control and experience he brings to the playmaking position. As for the man himself, he’s relishing his new role, while acknowledging it remains a work in progress. "I still have to figure out the small adjustments, like calling the plays and getting back into the line on defence, but I am enjoying it," he says. "You learn something new each week. I still need to get that balance right. “At full-back, I had plenty more time to look for space. When I'm at fly-half and calling the plays, changing the direction of the attack, one tends to look less at space and sometimes miss chances. "I can work on that and maybe look up quicker to see who is in front of you defending." Looking ahead to Saturday’s meeting with the tenth-placed DHL Stormers, the Stellenbosch-born test star added: “We know how desperate they will be and it will be a very tough game. We want to focus on what we can do and pitch up mentally." Le Roux - who spent time at fly-half early on in his career - claimed one of the Vodacom Bulls’ five tries in last Saturday’s 31-19 bonus point victory over the Lions which has brought them within two points of second-placed Glasgow. Head coach White is quick to stress the vital role being played by the much-travelled veteran, who has had spells in England and Japan, as well as with the Boland Cavaliers, Cheetahs, Griquas and Sharks in his homeland. “There’s a lot of media talk about is he a 10,” he said. “It’s irrelevant what position he is the best at. For me and our group, I need him close and I need him to be controlling things. “He will make mistakes because that’s the kind of player he is. He is one of those kind of guys. “At one point, we ran the ball and he threw a forward pass, but then you look at the pass he made for one of the tries we scored. “As long as Willie is on the field, I just feel - especially with all the leaders that have been out - that we have got a sense of how we want to play. “I probably erred the week before in the Sharks game. I took him off too early. I was too conservative. I should have probably left him on. “He understands when to run it, when to kick it and that’s what makes it so different for us. When he’s on the field, there’s a little bit more guidance from him to the other players.” White said Le Roux was key to the Vodacom Bulls pulling clear against the Lions after they had been pegged back to 17-14 at the break. “The first 12 minutes was the best we have played in a long while against anybody. It looked at that point - 17-0 up - that it was going to be one sided, but they scored two tries and got it to 17-14. “We almost got them by the throat, but we just try and make it so difficult for ourselves. “What I was really happy about is after having a chat at halftime, we tightened up everything again and I put that down to Willie. That’s the importance of having him there.” White added: “The Lions are a good team. When they start running at you, it’s difficult to defend against that. “They are well coached, they are very fit. I was glad we could get on top of them because they are a difficult team to beat.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma) Local International Off The Pitch Podcasts & Videos As Bafana Bafana midfielder Luke le Roux is reportedly linked with a move to Allsvenskan giants let's take a look at some of his standout moments in Sweden.Check it out Read: Lorch Teams Up With Top Fitness Coach Bafana Bafana midfielder Luke le Roux is set to join top Swedish club Hammarby who finished as runners-up on the Allsvenskan league table The 24-year-old made the move to Scandinavia by joining Swedish side, Värnamo midway through 2024 and helped them avoid relegation in November with local reports revealing that he caught the eye of several clubs in Europe Le Roux was one of Värnamo's main men last season after making 14 starts and four substitute appearances for the Swedish top flight struggles he has typically been included in Hugo Broos' Bafana plans and was included in the recent squad for the Africa Cup of Nation qualifiers playing a key role in the 2-0 away victory over Uganda in November With Bafana securing their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals Le Roux will hope to be on the flight to Morocco come the end of the year with chances set to be boosted by joining one of Sweden's elite clubs and playing in UEFA Conference League Take a look at his best bits from what's likely to be his first and only season at Värnamo: A post shared by Israel Fernandes (@fernandeshighlights) Read: Khuzwayo Reflects On Relationship With Khune  so that's an achievement that won't be missed by us but we know we've got three more games to keep building on that." Henry Pollock and his band of brothers pulled off a remarkable heist in Dublin on Leinster to make them believe anything's possible Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has opened up on why veteran fullback Willie Le Roux missed out on earning his 100th Test cap for South Africa in 2024 While he believes Le Roux deserves to reach the 100-Test milestone for his service to the green-and-gold jersey Erasmus maintains that the team’s priorities must always take precedence over personal accolades The Boks Office boy speculate as to whether Felix Jones’ return could set him up for a long term future with the Springboks Watch nowWill Felix Jones be the next Bok Head Coach | RPTVThe Boks Office boy speculate as to whether Felix Jones’ return could set him up for a long term future with the Springboks window.scriptsToInit.push('BrightCoveEmbeddedScrollVideo.init("6369885842112");'); we wanted to play that game in South Africa when he broke the [Springbok] record “We want to start a player when it’s his 100th game.” For the majority of the season Aphelele Fassi assumed the No.15 jersey It was a strategic decision that Erasmus says was made for the benefit of the team “We would’ve loved to give Willie [le Roux] his 100th Test last year but [Aphelele] Fassi was just playing so well “Sacha [Feinburg-Mngomezulu] and Damian [Willemse] haven’t played for a while “[Aphelele] Fassi and Manie [Libbok] is currently injured “Jordan [Hendrikse] and Siya Masuku is coming through “We will never put a player’s personal interest above the team “We’re playing 15 matches with 14 being Tests so hopefully he’ll get his 100th [Test] this year.” With 98 Springbok caps Le Roux has also turned out for the Bulls (28 matches) the ACT Brumbies are bracing for backlash from the NSW Waratahs in another Super Rugby Pacific crunch match Join free and tell us what you really think Henry Pollock and his band of brothers pulled off a remarkable heist in Dublin on Leinster to make them believe anything's possible Is the Queensland boss the right man to lead Australia forward And will Joe Schmidt be tempted to stick around for Rugby World Cup 2027 Northampton Saints found a way of beating the fabled Jacques Nienaber blitz and inflicting another 'horrific' Champions Cup loss on the Leinster giants He also compliments Prendergast more and allows Ringrose more space To be fair it is extremely difficult for Leinster to get the competitive matches in the URC to prepare for these really big matches hard matches in the lead up expose weaknesses which can be shored up before the next match NH identified all of these weaknesses and sent a man through every one of them They should have started Barrett Prendergast has more space with Barrett playing Northampton scored 3 quickfire tries without reply before half time Their first was very much against the run of play I don’t think Leinster not expecting that barrage of tries was them underestimating NH I feel that Leinster are not getting competitive matches to prepare them for these tight endgame scenarios That said match management should have seen them take the first 3 points and/or execute the tap Conan seemed to be confabbing with Barrett and Prendergast A levelled match would have been a significant blow to NH and with Leinster winning the second half 22-10 would have been heavy favourites to win another 20 minutes Arrogance chokers or maybe just a little of all three Bit disappointed on this she gave English Womens Rugby such a boost would have liked to have seen a few seasons at the coalface vs a 6 month temp contract It’s like tackle school 101 Start on your knees as the other 10 year old walks towards you It isnt just how he hits it’s his positioning and pace He got skinned by Ramm (I think) for the first try He chased the kick but could deal with a small swerve then turned slower than Freddie Stewart on an ice rink He really is a great prospect and if it wasnt a Lions year everybody would give him another year to improve Sasha keeps my heart in my mouth with his head on tackling He has made some very dominant tackles for the Stormers in the past few games and also he is a great cover defender Manie has made some classic corner flag tackles to save tries If the 10 is retiring to backfield he should be sweeping - that didn’t work out too well for SP He just doesn’t seem to have the appetite for tackling - he plays more like Naas Botha of old He’s a highly skilled rugby player I remember similar discussions about Sexton He’s been pushed forward by Leinster because of what he’s been doing in training Frawley has been put back as a utility player The Byrnes are both probably leaving Leinster and I agree with most of what has been said on this post He should have been sent out to Connacht or Ulster to gain more experience before being made no 1 Fly in Ireland My comment about stats was a lead-in to how having good tackle completion stats don’t necessarily mean you're a good defensive team The Brumbies game a few weeks ago was when I became concerned about Les as a Wallabies coach and I haveh’t seen enough to be anything more than hopeful he’ll succeed Looks like a beefier Oli Mathis Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?',1);"> I am as neutral as can be but I agree with your reservations He was D coach for the Boks in 21/22 and their record in those years on D was shocking in 21 50% wins and a draw and in 22 when his should have come into his own a few wins early season against Wales Argentine and Somoa followed by six losses in the last seven games Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?',1);"> Well Nick you have to wonder what the long term plan is for RA I cannot think that they would appoint Kiss only to have Schmidt back in 2027 but then it is a world cup year on home soil so perhaps that is the plan I reckon RA need to target the 2027 world cup as it seems like their best opportunity 2031 is so far away and who knows what the state of the game in Aus will be like at that point Also the squad isnt exactly bursting with talent which you could confidently say will be there come 2031 especially when you consider how young players are being hunted by foreign clubs 2027 must be the target and I just wonder if Kiss is the right man to win it all in 2027 He has not shown enough at Ulster or London Irish to be considered the main man and his Reds side while really good are hardly pragmatic and are prone to some whacky reversals like the one suffered in Fiji For me Kiss is not the man for 2027 yet he has the top job but he will bring continuity and wont tear up the gameplan so at least they wont be starting from scratch with a new coach In a way he was just about the only appointment they could make at this stage Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?',1);"> He’s a loose cannon on D TL The unpredictability can be a great addition on attack but on D you need someone to be reliable and disciplined It would be asking a huge amount from Les to lead Aussie into a WC with a 15-month runway which is why I feel Joe has not quite let go yet I think McCarthy is a very over-rated player 14-man French team in 2024 is all he has done Prendergast I feel sorry for - a few good games at u20s and because he plays for Leinster he gets the international gig Aki and Ringrose are first choice and have been for years Henshaw cannot affect an 80 minute match anymore multi-phase power game doesn’t work he doesn’t have the pace Keenan looked the fittest player in rugby two years ago but in last years game v England and this weekend he looks well off the pace not being picked for the Lions really helped Ireland in 2022 as Sexton Lowe and Ryan had storming seasons if I remember rightly If those players were picked for the Lions would they have won that series England players suffered a lot in 2018 after the 2017 Lions so while its nice to have your teams players get Lions recognition it might not be the worse thing if they aren’t there either Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?',1);"> I think they need Joe’s overview there JS You don’t want a novice head coach at a home WC As you say both of Les’ teams at Irish and Queensland have tended to attack well but the output is uneven Mistakes in specific areas can come in bunches without correction - look at my previous pieces on the Reds’ lineout and exit strategy They often do not change even when something is not working At risk of flattering the Reds/Wallabies too much I fear they are at risk of potentially turning into a Scotland-esque team under LK - i.e. great set plays - but lacking the killer physicality/X factor to beat the top teams Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?',1);"> I thought Ryan had a shocker Nick and those clips make it explicit Hopefully the problem is sorted over the next few weeks or they’ll be cooked Interestingly there was a lot of emphasis from Waugh about winning between world cups and getting the system right Their D is better than UBB’s so grounds for hope Ed Squad will need a utlility back who can play both Ah they would have taken the 3 - Leinster teams of the recent past have prob erred more on the roll of the dice from short-range lineouts If he wasn’t injured I’d have James R starting with McCarthy Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White has got his wish - Springbok veteran Willie le Roux has renewed his contract with the Pretoria side Le Roux renewed his contract to stay with the Pretoria side until the end of the 2027 season something that has delighted White and others as they plan to use his experience to guide a number of the younger players coming through the ranks It means that Le Roux will play on to hopefully get his 100th cap for the Springboks this year and then will continue to play for the Bulls after his time at the Boks is done There was some talk of Le Roux heading overseas but it seems he has enjoyed his time with the team and will be looking to fulfill the mentorship role in the coming two years but my teammates at the Vodacom Bulls have been a big reason behind the decision to stay I can continue to guide some of the passionate younger players that are coming through over the next two years,” Le Roux said in the team announcement SECURED till 2027 🔒“South Africa will always be my home, but my teammates at the Vodacom Bulls have been a big reason behind the decision to stay. Hopefully, I can continue to guide some of the passionate younger players that are coming through over the next two years,” says… pic.twitter.com/XcRdPr1ByK Le Roux has played 29 times for the Bulls since joining after the 2023 Rugby World Cup and has enjoyed his time at Loftus Versfeld. “This is an unreal stadium to play in, it’s always been one of my favourites, you can’t beat the vibe that the supporters bring every week. The club is special because of its fans and just what it means to put on its jersey every week we play,” “Reaching the URC Grand Final in my first year with the club and a very special semifinal win at Loftus against a brilliant Leinster side, as well as being able to win the URC SA Shield, are all among my top highlights thus far. Now we look ahead to more of these special memories.” White was overjoyed with getting Le Roux to extend with the team. “It is great to be able to have him extend with us. This is what our rugby needs: experienced campaigners to share their IP with the next crop of players. Willie has proven to us all – in a short time – just how important he is to what we are trying to achieve, I am sure his extension will be welcomed news to everyone, including players, coaches and our loyal fans.” Le Roux is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury but will return in a few weeks. is pressing Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to withdraw Agri-BEE regulations affecting agricultural imports and exports Leroux argues that applying BEE criteria in trade agreements penalises non-BEE farmers and violates international agreements urging clarity from the government on its stance Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here Edited transcript of the interview ___STEADY_PAYWALL___ 00:07Alec Hogg: This is a conversation with Piet le Roux you guys were on the front page of a report yesterday to withdraw BEE plans for agricultural imports and exports We just let John know in a letter that the Agri-BEE regulations published by Director General We just let John know in a letter that the Agri-BEE regulations published by Director General Mooketsa Ramasodi are not acceptable but they are nevertheless still unacceptable John has informed us that he was not aware of the regulations now published by his DG and he's asked his DG for a briefing But we find it unacceptable that export and import quotas are made subject to BEE criteria This is now applied to imports and exports to the UK as well as imports from World Trade Organization countries This concerns a meaningful minority of agricultural imports and exports up to 200 million litres of wine and up to 500,000 tons of agricultural produce It's not about permission to export or import 02:02Alec Hogg: So you're effectively putting penalties on non-BEE farmers there is a group that wants to incentivize farmers to incorporate more BEE into their operations This looks like they're incentivising them by reducing tariffs not necessarily increasing tariffs for those who don't have it what is happening is an abuse of international trade agreements under the World Trade Organization's Malachese Agreement and the EU Economic Partnership Agreements with the EU and the UK These agreements have been in place for several years and their purpose is to reduce barriers to trade by lowering import and export tariffs There's no intention in these treaties for one country to impose additional criteria and abuse its administrative obligations.03:28Piet le Roux: I call it a penalty because that is what it is It is forcing farmers who don't comply with BEE to pay an extra three rand per bottle of exported wine that would amount to several hundred million rands in penalties on farmers who don't engage with BEE but the government is making one group of people pay for this and favouring another 03:58Alec Hogg: The concerning aspect is that these ideas were promulgated on the 3rd well into the government of national unity We've heard a lot about the GNU being great but if the ministers and the directors general are on different pages Steenhuisen informed us that he was not aware of this and he seems to find the issuance of these regulations unacceptable There are several million employees in this government and parastatal environment and they have not changed with the change of ministers there are around 70,000 employees on the municipalities' books Changing the conduct of this machine called the state by changing a few senior positions is unlikely to result in significant improvements in the short run The ministers in this new government must try their best but we must be circumspect about our expectations regarding how much can be achieved.05:43Piet le Roux: The Director General in agriculture was part of the design of these regulations from the beginning He was part of the group that established this It's unlikely that just because his minister has changed he and his whole department will suddenly stop doing these unlawful things and stop believing that BEE is a solution to problems in South Africa I think they're as convinced as ever of what they're doing There will be big tension between these new ministers and their DGs and staff Our letter was firm; we need to say it like it is We will apply pressure at the appropriate juncture we will either express our approval or continue with further steps the initiative seems to have been in the hands of the DG We've asked the minister to retract these regulations but we'll see how it unfolds.07:08Piet le Roux: There are official plans in the department called their Agri-BEE plan and Agri-BEE enforcement guidelines These have existed for between five and eight years and were developed under Thoko Didiza and even her predecessor We exposed these last year after obtaining them through a PAIA request They were confidential and hidden within the department even though they are documents of public interest.07:37Piet le Roux: These plans are explicit in that the intention of the department is to make all permits for import and export and all phytosanitary services subject to BEE criteria but over time it could become an absolute criterion for allowing or disallowing interactions between government and the agricultural sector I'm not interpreting their meaning; I'm stating what they are saying Our letter to John states our objections to these recent regulations and we invite him to retract them or meet with us The larger problem is that the government's official plans are still in place and we require those plans to be withdrawn as well.08:56Piet le Roux: We've put a tough challenge to John Steenhuisen We must take this opportunity with a DA minister to see whether BEE will stay in place 09:26Alec Hogg: Is this not putting the whole government of national unity at risk There is a National Democratic Revolution program in place as we've heard from Anthea Jeffrey at the IRR What you're doing could force the issue a bit early in their trust-building relationship I think we must be careful of hoping for the best within a black box We can't just sit back and wait for something magical to happen while accepting whatever comes out It's appropriate to require ministries and the government to act lawfully and to ensure that participation in the economy is not subject to race criteria.10:15Piet le Roux: Even if someone argues that a DA minister must keep some measure of BEE in place because he has no choice then let's clarify what those measures are If the government of national unity means BEE stays in place we're treating this government the same as we would treat any other government Just because it's called the government of national unity does not change our expectations.11:09Piet le Roux: So we are not angry about it which is a very powerful voice for business The Vodacom Bulls were dealt another injury blow ahead of their next Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against Zebre after it emerged that veteran Springbok Willie le Roux will be out of action for at least a month after undergoing a shoulder operation on Monday is keen to get to 100 this year and the Bulls will want him available for the business end of the URC so it seems the operation was more to fix a minor problem than any major concern “We can confirm that Willie le Roux - this afternoon - underwent a minor repair in the shoulder/neck area He is expected to return to full fitness within a short period of time as the procedure was a success,” a Bulls spokesperson said on enquiry confirming his absence and not a new injury and Le Roux is expected to be out for four weeks Not good to see Willie Le Roux like this…Both for the Bulls URC hopes and for his attempt to get his 100th Springbok Cap in July 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/fWuZfUBgXR DOUBLE INJURY DOUBTS AND A PENDING SUSPENSION This comes hot on the heels of a number of concerns for coach Jake White ahead of the Zebre game, as he is certain to lose winger Sebastian de Klerk to suspension, and has concerns about Springbok forwards Cameron Hanekom and Johan Grobbelaar as well. Le Roux’s absence means another enforced change is set to be made when the team is announced on Friday. But the good news is that Canan Moodie should be back in line for selection, after missing the Leinster game with concussion. Moodie is expected to complete his return to play protocol in time for the game this weekend, so that will sort out the De Klerk headache for White. At fullback though, it is anyone’s guess. Jaco van der Walt has not been seen for ages, and is likely to still be struggling with injury while Henry Immelmann has been loaned to the Sharks for the foreseeable future. Devon Williams, who has played 15 on a number of occasions, is the favourite to take Le Roux’s spot for the game against Zebre. But the prognosis for Hanekom and Grobbelaar is uncertain and is sure to cause some anxious team management meetings this weekend. The bigger concern at the moment is Grobbelaar, who was nursing a shoulder injury after the game and depending on how he reacts, could determine whether he takes the field on Saturday against Zebre or not. Hanekom’s situation though is also fluid - as the last time he took a knock, he was out for a number of weeks and missed some of the local derbies as a result. Therefore, as the Bulls don’t send out injury updates, their faithful fans will have to wait until Friday before they know if they are able to count on either player. Hanekom - the Bulls “Racehorse” - as coach Jake White has referred to him - went off in the 47th minute and was replaced by Marco van Staden. He had just returned for this game. White wasn’t too perturbed over Hanekom after the game, saying: “He fell badly and twisted his lower back. It was just a fall and a spasm in his lower back. “And when you are a racehorse like he is and because they are so athletic they feel it more than other players. I don’t think it is serious. He is walking around now.” White went on to say the win had come at a cost. “But it has come at a cost because you can imagine, a red card and he will be out next week. Grobbies is sitting with a sore shoulder, so we will have to see how he goes. One of the things that is so tough about this competition is that every week we lose between two and three players. “You either get a suspension or an HIA or a long-term injury. If you work it out, what happens is you have 55 players with two and a half a week not available, after five, six weeks of consecutive rugby. If we win every game now, we’ve got 13 more Saturdays that we play, consecutively. “So to have a bench like we did, can only be positive for us.” The Bulls are still without the likes of Cobus Wiese and Johan Goosen, both of whom won't be back for another few weeks, meaning they are likely to miss the trip to Bayonne for the EPCR Challenge Cup, but could be back for the blockbuster away games against Glasgow Warriors and Munster next month. The Bulls will name their side for the clash against Zebre, who came very close to beating the Sharks in Durban last weekend, on Friday. Kabous Le Roux15 November 2024 | 11:28Miss South Africa Mia le Roux withdraws from Miss Universe competitionMiss South Africa Mia le Roux has withdrawn from the Miss Universe competition the final of which is due to be held in Mexico City on Saturday night.Mia Le Roux (L) is crowned by 2023 Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert (R) on stage at the 2024 Miss South Africa final at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 10 August 2024 the Miss South Africa Organisation said: “It is with deep regret that we share the news that Mia Le Roux has had to withdraw from the Miss Universe competition due to health concerns.” Le Roux added: "I am profoundly thankful for the unwavering support from South Africa during my time at Miss Universe Making this decision has been incredibly challenging knowing the dreams and hopes that have been placed upon me I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to focus on my health and recovery so that I may continue to serve my country with full strength." RELATED: Mzansi sends well wishes to Miss South Africa Mia le Roux following Miss Universe withdrawal The Miss South Africa Organisation continued: "Mia has shown incredible courage and grace throughout this difficult period. Her health and well-being are our utmost priority, and we stand by her side, dedicated to ensuring she regains her strength and returns to full health. “Our hearts are with her as she takes the necessary steps toward recovery." To respect Mia’s privacy and give her the time she needs to make a full recovery, neither the Miss South Africa Organisation nor Mia will be available to answer any further questions. The Miss South Africa Organisation is with Mia in Mexico to support her during this difficult time and appreciates the concerns and well wishes shared by all South Africans. Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with Sun International. S3 is the official broadcast partner. Africa Fashion International (AFI) is the official fashion sponsor. Go to:•    https://www.misssa.co.za•    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissSouthAfricaOfficial•    Twitter: @Official_MissSA•    Instagram: @official_misssa•    Tik-Tok: @official_misssa•    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MissSouthAfricaOfficial Sections JOHANNESBURG - Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa, has given an explanation for her withdrawal from the Miss Universe contest.  On Wednesday, November 20, the beauty queen posted a video on Instagram to thank South Africans for their support. This comes after she wasn't able to compete in this year's Miss Universe pageant, due to health concerns.  Last week Friday, Miss South Africa issued a statement confirming the news. The Miss Universe competition was set to take place this weekend. In her video, Le Roux said: "Hello everyone, I’m back in South Africa and wanted to reach out to you all. Thank you so much for all of your kind wishes, your support and prayers. "I wanted to be transparent with you and share my story. A lot of you would’ve seen the video that I made about vertigo, while I was in Mexico at Miss Universe." In her video she spoke of having vertigo, which is the sensation of spinning or motion while you are not moving at all. It can feel like you're falling or that you or the environment around you is whirling.  She also mentioned that she had to get medical attention during the Miss Universe event before leaving on Friday, November 15. View this post on Instagram A post shared by M I A L E R O U X (@mialerouxx) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) Le Roux, the first hearing-impaired winner in the competition's 66-year history, was crowned Miss South Africa in August this year. She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was a year old and relies on a cochlear implant. An exceptional effort from the Vodacom Bulls’ bench saw them score three second half tries to overwhelm the Emirates Lions and settle the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Jukskei derby in their favour 35-22 But it was a win that came at a massive cost as the Bulls lost both their captains in Ruan Nortje and Elrigh Louw with what looked like knee injuries, and both could be on the sidelines for a long period, which is a massive setback for Jake White’s side. Add to that the injury to Boeta Chamberlain, which doesn’t look as serious as the others, and Johan Goosen on the sidelines with a knee injury as well, and the Bulls will be happy with the win, but concerned at the long-term impact of losing these key players. Yet, saying that, this was a game that they dug deep to show incredible resolve when things weren’t going their way. The introduction of Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux in particular was a game-changer. Le Roux, known for his exploits at the back and his wealth of experience, slotted into 10 with incredible ease and reignited the Bulls attack that looked as if it was slowly being snuffed out. Add to that cameos from Alulutho Tshakweni and Francois Klopper and longer spells for Nizaam Carr and Rynhardt Ludwig, and the Bulls bench won them the game, giving them the boost they needed at the right time. Le Roux, though, stood out for the way he got the Bulls on the front foot again. And while the veteran is more comfortable at 15, the Bulls may need to use him at 10 for the next few derbies if they are to navigate their way through the injuries. The Lions, however, will be kicking themselves again that they let an opportunity slip through their fingers, much like they did last year, and couldn’t sustain the pressure and desperation they showed to lead at halftime. In the end the Bulls were just too street smart, and the Lions looked like a side that doesn’t know how to win these derbies when given the opportunity against their neighbours. You would have to go back two seasons to the last time they tasted success against the Bulls. There were some big performances on both sides as well. Cameron Hanekom - before and after the HIA - was exceptionally good, as was Marcell Coetzee. David Kriel slotting in to take over the kicking duties from Chamberlain only added to his impressive performance while Sergeal Petersen was more than a handful on the afternoon. The Lions had their Springboks - in particular Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg and Ruan Venter stand out, while Henco Venter was also a star on the afternoon, but too often they were disjointed and made crucial errors at crucial times. At the same time it was a strange game - see-sawing the lead between both teams as neither wanted to take control. Until, that is, Le Roux appeared and tipped the momentum in the Bulls favour to power them home. The way the Bulls started, they would have been kicking themselves that they were behind at the break, as they totally dominated the first half hour. But despite more than 70 per cent possession and territory at one stage, they didn’t quite get the reward for their efforts. Chamberlain’s early penalty was followed by a wonderful moment of clarity by the flyhalf, as he took turnover ball, spotted nobody home in the corner and eased the ball to the exact spot, as Petersen beat Richard Kriel to the ball and offloaded inside to the Lions’ winger’s brother David - who opened the scoring for the Bulls. At 10-0 up the Bulls fluffed a few chances to put themselves further ahead, and the Lions, growing in stature with every Bulls mistake, started clawing their way back. Two penalties from impressive young 10 Sam Francis kept them in the hunt before a defensive lapse by the Bulls was exploited perfectly by the Lions. A scrum move saw the ball head to Rynhardt Jonker, who spotted that Devon Williams had moved into the line to try and cut off the overlap. Jonker chipped over the defence for the perfect bounce for Van Wyk, who ran onto the ball and wasn’t going to be stopped so close to the line. At 11-10 the Bulls wouldn’t have been happy, especially after they lost Louw early in the second half. While Francis added two more penalties to Chamerlain’s one, the match seemed to be drifting towards the Lions at 17-13 up. The Bulls attack was static at best and the Lions were winning the breakdown battle. But when Le Roux and Moodie made their appearance in the 50th minute, the game started to shift. The Bulls were on the front foot again and it wasn’t long before they were camped in the Lions’ 22 metre area, with big Cobus Wiese crashing over after picking a good running line to shift past the defence. That gave the Bulls the lead back, but it wasn’t too last. The Lions produced a powerful rolling maul, and from the aftermath Etienne Oosthuizen took the lead back for the home side. The Bulls stepped up again and this time it was Marcell Coetzee who went over after several others had tried close to the line. The Bulls were back in the lead and this time it seemed the Lions looked defeated, the momentum shift had happened. This was confirmed when a five man rolling maul found its way over the line in the 69th minute, almost too easily with replacement hooker Akker van der Merwe claiming the try. It settled the game as a contest, and all the Bulls had to do as the Lions became desperate was to shore up their defence. This they did with ease, and closed out the game to take all five points on offer, leaving the Lions without a point for their efforts. The Lions will count the cost on the log after these 80 minutes, while the Bulls will be counting the injury cost, knowing they took a step forward, but will have to dig deep into their squad in the coming weeks. EMIRATES LIONS - tries: Henco van Wyk, Etienne Oosthuizen. Penalties: Sam Francis (4) VODACOM BULLS - tries: David Kriel, Cobus Wiese, Marcell Coetzee, Akker van der Merwe. Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain, David Kriel (2). Penalties: Chamberlain (2), Kriel which she explains costs between R30 000 and R40 000 Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Newspapers Marlene le Roux is making her voice heard bringing a much-needed spotlight to the challenges facing post-polio sufferers worldwide March 26 is recognised worldwide by post-polio sufferers as the day when the ground-breaking research of American virologist Dr Jonas Salk (1914-1995) announced his vaccine against the deadly disease in 1953.  Polio is a highly infectious disease that attacks the nervous system and can lead to spinal and respiratory paralysis like so many others “is a testament to the lack of care and empathy experienced by mothers and families who were disadvantaged by a racist political system”.  “Whereas millions of polio sufferers have been fortunate to receive the polio vaccine of Dr Salk and were healed since that day were denied access to this life-changing treatment in their childhood.  the local doctor who was white did not administer polio drops to me that could have spared me the lifelong consequences that I am still battling with to this day a daily reality for polio survivors: deformed limbs need braces these assistive devices are very costly just to be mobile,” she said but what do you do with post-polio sufferers Post-polio sufferers have their lungs give in because I don't think people realise that your whole body is a muscle Le Roux explained that a caliper (leg brace) costs between R30 000 and R40 000 which medical aids do not cover fully There are other related costs such as physiotherapy as constant muscle shortening makes it nearly impossible for many post-polio survivors to enjoy a full and healthy life We need to talk about these things and think about how we can make it easier for persons who are post-polio sufferers “Their families need to be educated and post-polio sufferers need to be educated about why their bodies are deteriorating I now need to put things in place for me.   as they don't register post-polio sufferers as chronic and that means we don't get extensive physio or have a biokineticist… So we need to educate medical aids and we need to educate our local hospitals in order for them to assist more for post-polio sufferers,” Le Roux said She hopes that post-polio will be recognised as a chronic disease for medical aids to pay for necessary treatments Le Roux also called for employers to realise that post-polio tires and weakens the body as it ages; they should adjust the working hours for post-polio survivors and that governments  recognise that assistive devices are important for post-polio survivors providing more assistance for them as they grow older Local clinics in South Africa must also be of better assistance to post-polio sufferers and render more effective service to assist with assistive devices that should be custom-made for them and orthopaedic doctors and orthotists must be made more aware that a post-polio survivor is totally different from a person needing a prosthesis as an assistive device "More training must be given to orthotists to make calipers as this is a skill that is becoming scarce I was once bluntly advised to rather have my leg amputated as it would be easier to replace it with a prosthesis," Le Roux said “I think most importantly is that we must move to a Disability Rights Act and that act will give persons with disabilities much more rights for us to look at being equitable and having equity it automatically means access to resources that are needed You can't talk about equality if you don't have resources and if I don't have transport to come to my job I need to be able to have assistive devices and I need to have a carer to assist me Like any other person with a disability to say ‘I am in a country that cares for me’,” Le Roux said we need to stop looking only at paying lip service Local clinics already administer tests for high blood pressure Let's have a holistic approach to persons with disabilities.” Cape Times aim to make the editorial mix such that readers get everything they need between pages first thing in the morning: news lifestyle and provocative commentary from leading columnists Read more Springbok star Willie le Roux was seen in Bath this week so does it mean that Johann van Graan is about to end his search for a new full-back or is it pure coincidence The 35-year-old, twice a Rugby World Cup winner, is under contract to the Bulls for another year and is well-travelled having played for Boland Cavaliers Cheetahs The 98-cap veteran was spotted in the Roman spa town as he prepares to wait at least seven months to become the eighth South African international to win a century of Test caps A look at all the key moments as the Springboks consigned England to another loss at home Visit RugbyPass TV for more of this type of content Watch nowEngland vs South Africa recap – Nov 2024 | RPTVA look at all the key moments as the Springboks consigned England to another loss at home Watch nowwindow.scriptsToInit.push('BrightCoveEmbeddedScrollVideo.init("6365046864112");'); Ulster’s former Ireland international scrum-half John Cooney who is out of contract at the end of the season could be on the move to a new club in time for the start of 2025/26 Set to turn 35 next May, Cooney is a firm favourite among the Ravenhill faithful. He is closing in on 150 appearances for the United Rugby Championship outfit but is under pressure from Nathan Doak for his place It is understood that Cooney, who played for Leinster and Connacht and has been named in the URC team of the year five times, has spoken to Exeter Chiefs and could be a target for clubs in Japan Racing 92 president Laurent Tra­vers has been closely following Rob Valetini during the Wallabies’ autumn series in Europe after putting a top-class No8 on his shopping list for next season The Brumbies 26-year-old is due to win his 51st cap against Scotland on Sunday. However, a potential sticking point to a deal is that he is under contract to Rugby Australia until 2027 Tra­vers, who is also looking for a big-name winger to replace Mont­pel­lier-bound Donovan Taofifenua is weighing up Valetini but is understood to prefer to sign someone who is JIFF-qualified In the market for a big-name scrum-half, Exeter could also need to bring in at least one hooker with Jack Innard and Jack Yeandle both out of contract at the end of the season an ex-England U20 who scored two tries in Chiefs’ 2018 Anglo-Welsh Cup win over Bath joined Exeter in 2013 and had loan spells at Launceston He could join his close friend Tom Hendrickson, who left the Chiefs for Hanazono Liners, in Japan while another of his mates, Ed Holmes John Barnes, Hartpury University’s highly rated director of rugby, has been lined up by former club Bristol to become their new academy manager Barnes spent 10 years working in Bears’ academy before joining Hartpury turning them into one of the biggest production lines for talent in the country He held off a challenge from former London Irish academy chief Patrick O’Grady who was in the running for the Bristol job after bringing a host of players through in his eight years with the Exiles Sale are poised to reveal that Ben Curry is staying at the club after agreeing on a new deal with his current contract set to run out at the end of the season The 26-year-old flanker has been capped six times by England, the last coming against the All Blacks earlier this month. He made his club debut for the Sharks against Wasps in 2016 and has made 175 appearances The Sharks will also hope to agree on terms with his identical twin Tom, who was one of 17 England players to be offered a £150,000 RFU hybrid contract to keep him at the club England scrum-half Ben Spencer is in advanced discussions with Bath about extending his stay at The Rec beyond the end of the season The 32-year-old, who is likely to spend the rest of his career with Bath, joined four years ago after a glittering career with Saracens where he won four Premiership titles and three European Cup crowns Bath are still to open talks with England centre Ollie Lawrence another player awarded an enhanced elite player squad deal by the RFU He is also in the final season of his Rec deal Exeter chairman Tony Rowe has admitted that the days of the Sandy Park club being member-owned are numbered after losing almost £18million over the last four years Rowe told the Cornish Times that the losses are too big for a member-owned club to sustain I have already told the members that the club can’t continue as a members club if we were to have another financial crisis Bayonne have held lengthy talks with Stormers and Springboks scrum-half Herschel Jantjies about joining them when his contract runs out at the end of the season who was a member of his country’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad has spoken to the Basque club by video call and looks set to make the move from Cape Town next summer Bayonne have been looking for an international scrum half to replace Guillaume Rouet or Maxime Machenaud Both are in the final year of their contracts and could move on if they do not reach an agreement on new terms France winger Teddy Thomas is set to do a U-turn and stay with La Rochelle for the next two seasons which will disappoint his hometown club Biarritz The 31-year-old had been lined up for a return to Olympique, while Bayonne were also interested in signing him, but Actu Rugby have reported that he is set to stay with Ronan O’Gara’s outfit The former Racing 92 star has scored five tries in six games after moving to outside centre which has helped to persuade Les Maritimes that he is worth keeping on the Bay of Biscay for the next couple of years Ahead of the league’s resumption next week following its Autumn Nations Series break Munster will go in against the Lions in Limerick short another coach after Kyriacou felt his future was best served by returning to England Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now  by | Sep 17, 2024 | Press Release | 0 comments Thousands of visitors are expected to take to the streets of Oudtshoorn this weekend when the town pulls out all the stops to welcome home Miss South Africa Mia le Roux The reigning queen – in her first visit to her hometown since being crowned Miss South Africa – will be honoured with a street parade by the people who have supported her throughout her incredible journey highlights include a special canape dinner at the world famous Cango Caves afternoon tea with representatives from Oudtshoorn schools as well as those in rural areas and outlying towns such as De Rust Dysselsdorp and Calitzdorp as well as photo opportunities Members of the public are encouraged to line the streets on the route and give Mia a rousing welcome Says Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality Executive Mayor Councillor Johan Allers: “The Oudtshoorn Municipality as well as the residents of the Greater Oudtshoorn area appreciate Miss South Africa visiting her hometown Her presence will be a powerful testament to our community’s pride and a source of inspiration for our local youth This visit will not only strengthen the bond between her and the town but also highlight our achievements on a broader stage.” Le Roux says she is counting down the time until her homecoming: “I’m so excited to celebrate this incredible win with Oudtshoorn as this victory is just as much theirs as it is mine I hope this will inspire my hometown to always continue in the spirit of giving and taking care of one another.” who co-owned Die Hoorn and Postnet Oudtshoorn newspapers for more than 20 years along with her husband “My husband Schalk and I – as well as our son Schalk who also lives in Oudtshoorn – are excited and grateful that we will be able to see Mia this weekend We really miss her as Johannesburg is a long way away I know the Oudtshoorniete (residents of Oudtshoorn) have been looking forward to Mia visiting the town since her coronation We are grateful that the Miss South Africa Organisation is sending her back to her people and the beautiful Little Karoo for a weekend Mia’s arrival in Oudtshoorn as well as a drive through town at around 11h00 Voortrekker Road and Baron van Reede with the Queen’s Hotel as the end destination she will be meeting high-school representatives from the area and its surrounds for an afternoon tea at the Queen’s Hotel the oldest 4 star in South Africa and third oldest of all hotels in the country This will be followed by a walk to the CP Nel Museum for a quick meet and greet There will be a special dinner that evening at the Cango Caves starting at 18h00 There will be a welcome by the mayor as well as performances from the Infantry School choir as well as by Mia’s alma mater the Oudtshoorn High School’s Ad Astra choir Tickets cost R200 and are available from the Oudtshoorn Municipality All proceeds go towards Mia’s foundation and advocacy during the time of her reign On Saturday morning she will be meeting members from the Nomads Golf Institution at Eljada Nasorgsentrum who will be making a donation to her Miss South Africa advocacy campaign From 09:00 until 11:00 she will be doing a second drive through town ending at the De Jager Sports Complex where there will be a photo opportunity until 13h00 Download the Miss South Africa app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play store Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with Sun International Click here to make an enquiry Home About Us Connect Miss SA Archives Terms of Service Privacy Policy Copyright Miss South Africa 2025 | All Rights Reserved. Website Designed By Indirect Media JOHANNESBURG - Miss South Africa 2024 winner Mia Le Roux will not be competing in this year's Miss Universe pageant, citing health concerns.  The organisation issued a statement early on Friday morning confirming the news. The Miss Universe competition was set to take place this weekend.  "Mia has shown incredible courage and grace throughout this difficult period. Her health and well-being are our utmost priority, and we stand by her side, dedicated to ensuring she regains her strength and returns to full health," the Miss South Africa organisation's statement read.  Le Roux, the first hearing-impaired winner in the competition's 66-year history, was crowned Miss South Africa in August this year. She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was a year old and relies on a cochlear implant.  Of her absence at the Miss Universe competition, Le Roux said she was "profoundly thankful" for the "unwavering support from South Africa during my time at Miss Universe."  "Making this decision has been incredibly challenging, knowing the dreams and hopes that have been placed on me. However, I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to focus on my health and recovery so that I may continue to serve my country with full strength," Le Roux said.  The Miss SA winner has been in the host region Mexico City for the 73rd annual pageant since the end of October. When she first departed, she said she was ready to "go break barriers".  SPOTLIGHT: It seems like the idea to start Willie le Roux in the Bulls’ No.10 jersey could materialize this Saturday in Cape Town The double World Cup winner  Le Roux has been linked with a move to Premiership club Bath according to Rapport the deal has collapsed as the veteran Springbok could stay at the Bulls for another season and be given the flyhalf role Le Roux recently showed his flyhalf prowess spearheading the Bulls’ attack off the bench during the 35-22 win over the Lions a fortnight ago The game was in the balance till the 50th minute – the Lions leading 17-13 but with the introduction of Le Roux at flyhalf along with Akker van der Merwe and Canan Moodie The Pretoria side scored three tries in a 10-minute blitz to take control of a game that had the potential to go pear-shaped Le Roux’s cameo at flyhalf handed Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White a lot to think about ahead of a series of challenging South African derbies which kicks off this weekend against Stormers away before visits to Loftus for the Sharks At the moment Johan Goosen is the first-choice flyhalf but he is regularly out due to injuries and will be sidelined for up to 12 weeks Boeta Chamberlain has been struggling to find form since joining the team at the start of the season and Scotland international Jaco van der Walt has had very limited game time This leaves Le Roux as the most viable option for the crucial fixture in Cape Town When asked about Le Roux possibly starting at 10 this weekend Stormers assistant coach Norman Laker stated: “Willie is from Strand and he went to Paul Roos there are only talented people from the Strand and Paul Roos He played 98 Test matches for Springboks.” Le Roux has played the majority of his rugby at fullback and occasionally on the wing in his early days He has filled in at flyhalf in the Springbok team in the past “He started at wing for the Springboks and moved to fullback and to play 98 Tests is phenomenal,” Laker said “I think he and Percy Montgomery shared the 15 jersey for having 80 caps he played a lot in that role by distributing “His tactical kicking is really good and he has a calm head “He is a quality rugby player and he can slot in at 10 and 15.” Get weekly Rugby Updates direct to your inbox All the Rugby365 articles and news you love Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Get a sneak peek into the life of the Sales team’s newest addition as she answers our new and improved 20 questions for Maverick Insiders My recent favourite is Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho Little Women directed by Greta Gerwig never ceases to amaze me or make me cry I watched The Menu a few weeks ago and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it so having to pick just one would be blasphemy and with recent faves it’s a tie between True Detective and Ted Lasso Sometimes I go down the OneDayOnly rabbit hole I’ve ordered a tiny fan that plugs into my phone from there (it’s for the free shipping A Pinterest picture of the shade of red I want to dye my hair There are 7.5 sheep for every person in the country Someone once told me it’s meant to wake up your guardian angel Any family dinner at my grandparents’ house with everyone present but it makes me feel like there’s more space I’m a big Swiftie and wouldn’t mind experiencing what she gets up to on a normal day Well I’d have to say starting at Daily Maverick I finished my honours degree last year and I’m still in awe that I get to work at one of the publications I admire and respect the most I’m never one to leave a girlfriend behind so I think I’d be facing charges of being an accessory before the fact but there’ll always be a regression to the middle; that sweet spot where everything is just okay ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " South Africa (21 November 2024) — “Thank you so much for all of your kind wishes And I do believe in the spirit of Ubuntu,” shared a brave Mia le Roux as she started what we’re sure was not an easy video to record Miss South Africa withdrew from the Miss Universe Pageant for reasons related to health concerns All eyes were on Mia as she stepped away from the coveted stage While many shared messages of love concern and support; it’s no small feat to withdraw so suddenly from such a highly publicised event Not to mention; the pressure we’re sure Mia felt in the midst of it all this Miss South Africa is nothing if not brave she decided to do one of the bravest things a person can do—be fully transparent Mia decided not to leave matters vague and opened up to South Africa in a way that has left so many proud a dizzying experience and something she experienced in Mexico where the Miss Universe competition unfolded there is a good chance one will have vertigo “It’s very intense and very pronounced and can also cause major issues with your balance,” Mia explained but physically my body was taking a lot of strain and I even had to seek medical help in Mexico City “On the night of the preliminary competition I continued to push myself and I was ready in my national costume to showcase it proudly But my body was just saying no and my vertigo intensified and became unmanageable ” she furthered she kept falling and eventually couldn’t stand securely without support She soon found herself in urgent conversation with the production personnel as she did not feel she would be able to walk on stage safely but just imagine the fear of knowing you will likely fall “I had to very quickly realise and be at peace with the fact that this was not the road that was meant for me.” Mia confided that stepping away was not an easy choice; especially because she wanted to represent all the people who never thought they could shine on a platform like Miss South Africa or Miss Universe Mia explains that her condition has gotten a lot better With time to think on her side and support from the Miss SA organisation she was able to reflect on a much bigger conversation—accessibility but we need to have systems in place in order to foster true inclusivity,” she shared Mia adds that she hopes her experience will educate the world of pageantry and beyond in making spaces more truly accessible to all “I will keep fighting for myself and for everyone with dreams and passions who lack the systems to achieve them Together we can create new standards and new norms and I am so proud to still be your Miss South Africa.”—Mia le Roux Mia has made South Africa enormously proud with her decision to be so transparent; inspiring more of us to push past the fear of judgement in the spirit of something that unites people far more—beautiful vulnerability A post shared by M I A L E R O U X (@mialerouxx) Ashleigh Nefdt is a writer for Good Things Guy Ashleigh's favourite stories have always seen the hidden hero (without the cape) come to the rescue her labour of love is finding those everyday heroes and spotlighting their spark - especially those empowering women sustainability shakers and creatives with hearts of gold she's dedicated to her canvas or appreciating Mother Nature Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "a3dae51763e4bdc5f3621c2e7996a098" );document.getElementById("d2d9e305b5").setAttribute( "id" and website in this browser for the next time I comment Would you like to receive truly phenomenal inspirational and good thing stories right to your inbox Then subscribe to our weekly GoodThingsGuy newsletter today I accept GTG’s Privacy Policy GoodThingsGuy is the home of everything good and those are the things that really matter We believe that there is good news all around us and over 1 million readers a month agree with us GoodThingsGuy was officially launched on the 1 August 2015 in order to only promote good news inspirational stories and promote only positive multi-platform media company that distills unique content across multiple media platforms We consider individual and corporate contributions through the website or mail us directly here. Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again With the Six Nations taking a short breather the attention in the northern hemisphere switches to the United Rugby Championship (URC) and a full Round 11 schedule There are two games taking place on Friday night as Edinburgh host Zebre Parma and Ospreys take on Leinster while five play out on Saturday before one game on Sunday Several internationals bolster their respective clubs after being released from Six Nations duty while South Africa veteran Willie le Roux will continue at 10 for the Bulls Elsewhere, Springboks tighthead prop Frans Malherbe will claim his 150th cap for the Stormers in the Origin Round clash with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday Check on the full team news for the URC weekend Another huge boost for Munster as Ireland lock in ‘world class’ forward until the 2027 Rugby World Cup READ MORE: Wales interim coach stamps his mark as Warren Gatland’s long-time ally departs and snubbed trio recalled Our Bulls player ratings from the URC clash against the Glasgow Warriors Rassie Erasmus does not expect Willie le Roux to make the next Rugby World Cup The Bulls will be without the services of the Springboks full-back after he went under the knife There is plenty of chatter around South African players ahead of next season with the Bulls set to welcome two Springboks back to Loftus Versfeld Reports over the weekend suggested that Siya Kolisi’s rumoured move back to the Stormers was wide of the mark Meanwhile, Stormers and Springboks lock Salmaan Moerat has attracted the interest of ‘more than one’ Premiership club while Joseph Dweba could also leave Cape Town Fresh reports state that Wandisile Simelane’s outing against Sale Sharks has caught the eye of wealthy clubs around the world Simelane’s contract expires at the end of the season and he could take up the opportunity to seal a lucrative move abroad with French Bristol Bears and NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu are reportedly interested in the former South African U20 star who has rediscovered his form with the Stormers after an underwhelming spell at the Bulls Exeter Chiefs could also come into the mix according to the report as Rob Baxter goes in search of a midfielder ahead of next season. The club have reportedly signed Wallabies forward Tom Hooper and could add Simelane to their ranks if they can ward off the competition the Bulls look set to gain one in the form of Jan Serfontein who has been linked with a return to Pretoria for some time now The centre delayed his return to Loftus by a season as he attempts to get his French citizenship which is likely to be sorted before the end of the current campaign Serfontein’s Montpellier teammate Nico Janse van Rensburg looks set to join him in signing for Jake White’s side the one-cap Springbok forward will rejoin the Bulls upon his return to South Africa having joined the French side when White was the head coach Springboks star Kurt-Lee Arendse dominates with 80-metre try in shock win over Brodie Retallick’s Steelers Janse van Rensburg has reportedly been granted an early release from his contract with Montpellier on personal grounds as he wishes to return to South Africa Staying with the Bulls and Rapport state that not only has Willie le Roux hit a stumbling block with Bath over a return to the Premiership but he has also indicated to White that he will not take up the additional year option on his contract beyond this season his agents are now exploring the options the veteran full-back has at his disposal the Bulls are also expected to sign Carlu Sadie from Bordeaux and Paul de Wet from the Stormers Siya Kolisi: Latest on Springboks captain’s Stormers return as Sharks throw spanner in the works The Lions have landed a massive re-signing according to Rapport with Springboks hopeful Henco van Wyk penning a two-year extension with the Johannesburg side The 23-year-old has been widely tipped to make the step up to the Green and Gold jersey and was clearly on Rassie Erasmus’ radar with the Bok head coach mentioning him on more than one occasion in 2024 While the news of his re-signing will be met with a big cheer by Lions fans the report has delivered some concerning updates That is that Springboks winger Edwill van der Merwe and star forward Francke Horn’s futures at the club are far less clear Van der Merwe made his Test debut against Wales at Twickenham last year scoring a memorable try in the victory over Warren Gatland’s men The Lions will be eager to keep the winger on their books but with his current deal expiring this season The same is true for Horn with the report adding that neither player has made a decision over their future as Marius Louw wants to join Premiership club Sale Sharks later this year while Sanele Nohamba has informed the Lions that he will not stay at Ellis Park and has signed a contract with Japanese club Shizuoka Blue Revs who are captained by Springbok forward Kwagga Smith Deon Fourie is sticking around a little while longer The fly-half rumour mill is heating up in France Rugby Australia have confirmed the future of the Wallabies head coach position with Les Kiss replacing Joe Schmidt Our Stormers player ratings following their emphatic win over Benetton Twenty-eight year-old Mia Le Roux has won the Miss South Africa title at glitzy event held at the Sun Bet Arena in Pretoria.According to the Miss South Africa website Free State and raised in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. “She is a marketing manager model and part-time B Com Marketing student She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and her community rallied behind her to give her the gift of hearing; inspiring her desire to make a positive impact and break barriers graceful and kind,” the website said.In a post on Saturday night on the social media platform X Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said: “Congratulations to our South African Queen Mia le Roux I know you will represent us well at Miss Universe.”The Miss South Africa pageant describes itself as a leadership platform for ambitious young South African women. “Through a pageantry process contestants receive world-renowned coaching in addition to advanced networking Shaped into brand ambassadors for our country thought leaders and savvy career women who inspire other young South Africans to fulfil their potential recognise their self-worth and find their place in the world,” the website said General Enquiries newsfiles@gcis.gov.za Tel: 012 473 0213Editor Roze Britz roze@gcis.gov.za News Editor Janine Arcangeli janine@gcis.gov.zaEditor-in-Chief Zanele Mngadizanelemngadi@gcis.gov.za  Chante Hohip29 October 2024 | 12:43PICS: Miss SA Mia le Roux ready to 'break barriers' at Miss Universe pageantThe 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held in Mexico City on Saturday, 16 November.Miss SAMiss SA Mia le Roux heads off to Mexico for Miss Universe. Photo: Instagram/mialerouxx (screenshot) Miss South Africa 2024 Mia le Roux was in good spirits when she departed for Mexico for the 73rd Miss Universe pageant. The pageant will be held in Mexico City on Saturday, 16 November. Le Roux made history as the first hearing-impaired woman to be crowned Miss South Africa. She will look to become South Africa’s fourth Miss Universe. Previous winners include Margaret Gardiner (1978), Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2017), and Zozibini Tunzi (2019). Taking to Instagram, Le Roux said she feels honoured to have this once in a life time opportunity.  “I am so grateful to wear South Africa within my heart. I cannot wait to show them what it means to be a South African where we carry within us the spirit of ubuntu which means ‘I am, because we are.’ Let’s go break barriers!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) View this post on Instagram A post shared by M I A L E R O U X (@mialerouxx) View this post on Instagram A post shared by M I A L E R O U X (@mialerouxx)