A roundup of what some of South Africa’s leading Sunday papers are saying, including an update on a potential mega-money takeover of the Bulls.
While Rapport focused on the Springboks’ win over Italy on Friday, which should send them through to the World Cup quarter-finals, it also carried big news about the Bulls. According to Brenden Nel, two of South Africa’s richest men, Johann Rupert and Patrice Motsepe, have made a bid to gain a majority share in the Blue Bulls Company. Rupert’s Remgro company already has a 50% share and togther with Motsepe’s African Rainbow Company could make the Bulls a financial powerhouse of South African rugby again.
Staying with Rapport, the newspaper also provided an update on transfer news about overseas-based South Africans. According to a report written by Nel, former Springbok flank Willem Alberts could be set to return to the country with the Lions, where he started his professional career in 2007. The 35-year-old currently plays for Stade Francais in France. The Lions will be without both Malcolm Marx and Kwagga Smith for next year’s Vodacom Super Rugby campaign, while captain Warren Whiteley has struggled with a knee injury this year.
The Sunday Times had a story about further accusations against Bok lock Eben Etzebeth. According to the report by Aron Hyman, Human Rights Commission acting legal head Buang Jones has accused Etzebeth and his group of friends of being a ‘Wolf Pack’ that are allegedly notorious in Langebaan for thuggish acts. Etzebeth has been accused by local residents of hate speech and assault during a night out in Langebaan.
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