The Springboks’ conditioning training is built around developing strength, power, speed, endurance and resilience to meet the demands of elite international rugby. 

The modern Springboks under coaches Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have become known for combining exceptional physical conditioning with detailed sports science, allowing them to maintain high intensity for the full 80 minutes while dominating collisions and set pieces.   

Whether you’re looking to build muscle, improve your athleticism or simply challenge yourself with a new fitness approach, incorporating rugby conditioning methods, exercises and stretches can help you develop a stronger, fitter and more resilient body.  

@springboks.rugby Work to be done even if it’s the last Test week of the year 🙌 #Springboks #forevergreenforevergold ♬ original sound – Springboks.rugby

Strength Training 

Strength is a key component of rugby, helping players generate power, withstand physical contact and perform at a high level throughout a match. Rugby strength training focuses on building functional, full-body strength that translates directly to performance on the field. 

• Heavy compound lifts such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses and Olympic lifts. 
• Upper-body strength exercises including pull-ups, rows and shoulder presses. 
• Focus on building explosive power for scrum, tackles, rucks and carries. 

@train.with.champ ✋🏾 REASONS YOU NEED TO STRENGTH TRAIN 1️⃣ Simply being stronger on the field/court helps give you a competitive advantage whether you play a contact sport or not. Being able to throw, hit, or serve harder, push other athletes off the ball/off the spot, or not be pushed off yourself will give you a competitive advantage. Having muscles that are strong and don’t fatigue as quickly also gives you an advantage late in the games while athletes who don’t strength train, will begin fatiguing. 2️⃣ Being more resilient to injury is arguable the best factor that comes from regular strength training. When you can bounce back faster or not get injured at all because your body was stronger allows you to keep playing the sport you love at a high level. Strength training not only strengthens your muscles but if done correctly it also strengthens tendons, ligaments as well as your bones. 3️⃣ SPEED KILLS! Fast and explosive athletes are usually relatively strong athletes. Elite levels of speed & jumping ability require a ton of force to be produced into the ground, relative to the athletes body weigh. When trained properly, increasing your strength will also go a long way towards helping increase your force output as well. 4️⃣ Strength training DOES NOT make you stiff…when done correctly. Bodybuilders tend to train in partial ranges of motion to help build the size of their muscles which can eventually lead to some stiffness. As athletes we’re not as concerned with muscle size, as much as we’re concerned with function and movement efficiency. If you train thru full ranges of motion and in multiple planes of motion then your more likely to increase your mobility (range of motion in a joint like the hips) as well as your flexibility (think stretching of a muscle like the hamstrings). 5️⃣ Feeling stronger, building muscle, burning fat, and feeling more energetic will have anyone feeling better about themselves. And when we feel good about ourselves, that builds confidence on and off the field of play • • • • #HouseofChamps #SportsPerformanceTraining #AthleticDevelopment #SpeedCoach #StrengthCoach #StrengthTraining #TrainLikeAnAthlete #BenefitsofStrengthTraining ♬ original sound – Train With Champ

Springbok-Style Conditioning  

1. 20m sprint x 6 
2. sled push x 20m 
3. 10 burpees 
4. farmer’s carry x 30m 
5. 10 box jumps 
6. 30-second assault bike sprint 

Repeat 4-6 rounds with minimal rest to simulate match intensity 

Speed & Acceleration 

These matter where split-second bursts can create scoring opportunities or shut down an attack. Training in this area focuses on improving quickness off the mark, explosive acceleration and the ability to reach top speed efficiently in game situations. 

• Short-distance sprints (10, 20 and 40 metres).
• Resisted sprinting with sleds.
• Agility drills involving rapid changes of direction and footwork.

Conditioning & Endurance 

Conditioning and endurance require players to perform repeated high-intensity efforts over the full 80 minutes. Training in this area focuses on building stamina, sustaining work rate and maintaining performance even when fatigued. 

• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) to replicate the stop-start nature of rugby. 
• Repeated sprint efforts with limited recovery. 
• Shuttle runs and conditioning circuits to improve work rate under fatigue. 

Power Development  

This is about producing maximum force in minimal time, helping players explode through tackles, win collisions and accelerate quickly. Training combines strength and speed-based movements to build explosive athletic performance that translates directly to match situations. 

• Box jumps and other plyometric exercises. 
• Medicine ball throws. 
• Olympic weightlifting variations such as cleans and snatches. 

Mobility & Recovery 

These are essential in rugby for maintaining movement quality, preventing injuries and keeping the body ready for repeated high-intensity efforts. A strong focus on flexibility, joint health and proper recovery helps players stay durable and perform consistently throughout the season. 

• Dynamic warm-up routines before training.
• Stretching and mobility work focused on hips, ankles, shoulders and thoracic spine.
• Recovery sessions including ice baths, massage and active recovery exercises.

Core and Injury Prevention 

Injury prevention is crucial in rugby, where stability, balance and body control are constantly tested in contact situations. Training in this area, which focuses mainly on core strength, helps protect against common injuries while improving overall strength, posture and on-field performance. 

• Planks, loaded carries and anti-rotational exercises. 
• Neck strengthening to reduce injury risk. 
• Hamstring and groin-strengthening exercises.  

Words: Dylan Appolis
Photos: Gallo/Getty Images.
Additional text: John Cardinelli.

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There is a type of South African man who will tell you, with absolute conviction, that diesel is the only serious answer.

He drives a bakkie. He has driven a bakkie for 20 years. He once towed a fully loaded horse trailer from Johannesburg to the Karoo on a single tank, and he wants you to know about it.

He is not entirely wrong.

Then there is the other guy. 

He lives in Cape Town, commutes eight kilometres each way to work and genuinely cannot understand why anyone would pay a premium for a diesel engine that spends most of its life idling in traffic on the elevated freeway. 

He is also not entirely wrong. 

This is the petrol versus diesel debate in essence. Two people, two valid positions, two completely different driving realities. In 2026, with fuel prices at an all-time high and a 50-litre tank of 95 unleaded costing R400 more to fill than it did at the start of the year, the stakes have never been higher. 

What the numbers actually say  

Let’s start with the science. 

Diesel engines use compression ignition rather than spark plugs, extracting more usable energy from every litre of fuel. The Automobile Association puts the efficiency advantage at between 25% and 30% compared to a comparable petrol engine. 

On a long highway run, that gap is real and it is felt. More kilometres per tank, better pulling power at lower revs and an engine built to last. The diesel bakkie has become the default vehicle for tackling the South African outdoors for good reason. 

But what the diesel evangelists do not always mention is this: diesel vehicles cost more to buy, often significantly more. The AA’s own running cost data shows that for drivers covering under 35 000 kilometres a year, diesel rarely wins on total cost of ownership, once you factor in the higher purchase price, steeper servicing bills and the cost of components like turbochargers and particulate filters. 

If a diesel vehicle costs you R65 000 more than the petrol equivalent, your annual fuel savings will take a full decade to recover that gap. That is a long time to wait for a return on a decision made in a showroom.  

@toyzautohouse 🚗 Are Diesels still the more economical option? #cars ♬ original sound – Toyz Auto | 082 592 8536

And there is one more thing worth knowing: diesel in South Africa is deregulated. The government sets the maximum retail price for petrol each month, but retailers can charge what they like above the published wholesale reference price for diesel. Perfectly legal. It’s why the petrol station on your corner can be R2 more expensive than the one two streets away. It is also why diesel prices spiked viciously the moment the Strait of Hormuz closed, before most of us had read a single headline about it. 

The honest answer  

“Forget the diesel,” says Brendon Carpenter, brand marketing manager at Suzuki South Africa, “unless your driving genuinely demands it.” 

Direct, perhaps provocative, but it reflects a reality many South Africans need to hear. 

Most of us are not towing horse trailers. Most of us are doing school runs, commutes and the occasional weekend away. 

For that kind of life, a modern turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine will serve you well, cost less upfront and keep you out of the workshop more often. 

The rule of thumb is simple. 

If you cover more than 20 000km a year on open roads, tow often or need serious torque for work, diesel earns its premium. If you are a city driver covering shorter distances who plans to trade in within five years, the numbers favour petrol. Resale value has historically favoured diesel, but that gap is narrowing as more buyers weigh up the options and reach the same conclusion.

@tredcars Diesel gas prices tho 🥴🥴 #carcommunity #cartiktok #diesel #dieselpower #dieselengines #turbodiesel #carfacts #foryou #greenscreen ♬ Lo-Fi analog beat – Gloveity

What about a third option?  

More South Africans are now asking a different question altogether. A March 2026 fuel sentiment study found that 75% of respondents said rising costs were already punching holes in their monthly budget, and nearly one in four was actively considering switching vehicles to electric. 

Most are not looking at fully electric, though. 

Plug-in hybrid sales surged 280% in 2025, while pure battery electric vehicle sales fell 17%. With just over 500 public charging stations nationwide, full electric remains aspirational for most South Africans outside Sandton and the Atlantic Seaboard. 

The hybrid sits in a more honest place. It does not ask you to rewire your garage at home or plan your route around charging stops. It runs on the same fuel you’ve always used but burns considerably less of it, especially in stop-start city traffic. For a country where budgets are under pressure and infrastructure remains uneven, that middle ground is where momentum is quietly building. 

The petrol versus diesel debate was never really about fuel. It was always about who you are as a driver, how you use your car and what your financial reality looks like. Those things have not changed. What has changed is the cost of getting the decision wrong.  

Know your mileage. Know your roads. Know your wallet. Then fill up accordingly. 

Words: Adrain Ephraim
Illustrations: Shutterstock

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If cricket is a game of pressure, Nonkululeko Mlaba is one of the players who seems built to handle it. As a left-arm spin bowler for the Proteas, she has steadily grown into a trusted presence in the South African setup, offering control and composure in moments where the game can easily slip away or swing in the opposition’s favour.

She slows momentum, builds pressure over a spell, and steps in when things start to unravel, bringing a sense of calm that anchors the team’s bowling attack.

She understands her role with total clarity, and over time Nonkululeko has become more than a great bowling option – she is a stabiliser in the lineup, someone the Proteas rely on when discipline, patience and game awareness matter just as much as breakthroughs. 

Before the Proteas  

Born on 27 June 2000 and raised in KwaMashu, north of Durban, her introduction to the sport came through school and community programmes that made space for girls to pick up a game still fighting for equal footing.

Nonkululeko has spoken about discovering cricket as a child and learning her craft on uneven pitches with limited resources, shaping the accuracy and patience that now define her bowling.

In an interview with ICC Media, she said that growing up playing with boys forced her to “learn to be brave very quickly” – a mindset that later translated seamlessly into international cricket.

She didn’t start out as a spinner, either. That came later, after a coach suggested she switch from pace to spin, a decision that would quietly shape her entire career.

As she told ESPNcricinfo, “I didn’t understand it at first and I was so mad, but then I started to enjoy it more because I didn’t have to run to bowl. I could just walk in and bowl” – which captures how instinctively she took to the craft that now defines her role in the Proteas women’s team.

She added that she “fill in love with the control of spin bowling” and the challenge of out-thinking batters rather than overpowering them. That early fascination with control became a through-line in her game.  Those beginnings did more than produce a great cricketer; they produced a competitor comfortable with responsibility. 

Owning the role  

Nonkululeko’s journey has been a steady accumulation rather than a sudden explosion. Since making her debut for South Africa in 2019, she has become a regular feature in the T20I and ODI sides, trusted for her economy rate and ability to break partnerships.

She has said that international cricket “taught me patience… you can’t rush a batter at this level” – a lesson visible in the way she builds overs like small traps.

Her T20I economy has frequently hovered among the best in the squad, and by the time our women’s cricket team started reaching the latter stages of global tournaments, Nonkululeko’s role had become non-negotiable: bowl in the powerplay, return when control is needed, and close out innings without drama.

As she said on Cricket South Africa’s channels, her focus is “to give the captain options”, a simple brief she fulfils with remarkable consistency.

As her confidence playing at international level has grown, so has the recognition of her impact. “It’s very nice to see my name on the [ICC] rankings” she told The Citizen newspaper, a quiet acknowledgment of how far she’s come in a relatively short space of time. At the time of print, she was at No. 4 on the T201 bowlers’ table. 

On the world stage, Nonkululeko’s value to the team sharpens. During World Cup campaigns and high-pressure bilateral series, her overs often arrive at moments when momentum threatens to swing. She explained to ICC Media that her job is to “stay calm so the team can stay calm”, an outlook that mirrors her unhurried run-up and repeatable action.

Teammates and captains have leaned on that calm, using her as a stabiliser when matches speed up. The wickets matter, but the dots matter more – a philosophy she’s described as “winning the over before thinking about the wicket”. It’s a mindset built for tournament cricket, where control is currency.  

Built for the long game  

Nonkululeko’s rise is a reminder that greatness in cricket is often found in the details – the dot balls, the tight lines, the overs that quietly change the tempo of a match and shift momentum without spectacle. Her career so far reflects a player who understands that influence isn’t always about headlines or highlight reels, but about moments of control when they matter most.

As women’s cricket in South Africa continues to gain momentum, Nonkululeko Mlaba stands as part of the foundation of that progress, shaping games with a quiet authority that speaks louder than celebration ever could.

In doing so, she represents a new kind of cricketing presence – one built on patience, precision and a deep reading of the game – proving that sometimes the quietest players on the field are the ones making the biggest difference. 

Words: Emma Mbuthuma
Photos: Supplied  

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Tabitha Chawinga’s last season ended in a flurry of goals for her French club Olympique Lyonnais as they hammered Paris FC 5-0 on the final day of the campaign, but two strikes for the 30-year-old Malawian attacker saw her narrowly miss out on the Golden Boot.

Chawinga is among Africa’s most exciting footballing exports and has already had a stellar year, finishing the Ligue 1 campaign with 13 goals as the second highest scorer but more importantly making it all the way to the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

Lyon were handed a 4-0 hammering by Barcelona in the decider in Oslo, but Chawinga’s appearance was only the second by an African in arguably the biggest match in women’s club football.

The other is the Nigerian ace Asisat Oshoala, who scored the consolation goal for Barcelona when they lost 4-1 to Lyon in the 2019 final and two years later became the first African woman to win the competition with Barcelona.

Chawinga is regarded among the deadliest strikers in women’s football, and her goal tallies are astonishing. When she first went across to Europe to Kvarnsvedens IK in Sweden, she scored 43 goals in 25 starts in her first season to win promotion for her team, and then a further 40 goals in 44 starts over the next two seasons.

That earned her a lucrative move to China and a chance to provide for her family. She was Player of the Year in her debut season in the Chinese Women’s Super League and got to play alongside her younger sister, Temwa. 
Tabitha went on loan to Inter Milan and then signed for Lyon two seasons ago. The French club has won eight Women’s Champions League titles, double the tally of the next on the list, Barcelona. That is evidence of the prestige nature of the move. 

Chawinga’s success has come despite considerable adversity, particularly the traditional norms of rural Malawi, where women competing in sport are not always encouraged.

“My mum beat me because she was embarrassed,” Chawinga explained. People would provoke my mum: “Look at your daughter-maybe she will not be married in the future. Your daughter, she doesn’t want to go to school.”

“Even my friends said: “No women can play football in this world. But now I’m very happy because there are many African people waking up and opening their eyes.” Chawinga is modest in her assessment of her ability. “Maybe I’m a good striker, but I’m still learning a lot. Without my teammates, I’m nothing,” she says.

“I need my teammates to give me the ball, and I need to assist my teammates as well. Being a top striker isn’t always about the goals; it’s how you contribute to the club, to the other players.

“Maybe we focus our minds on scoring ourselves. If one day I don’t score, but l assist, it will be really good for me to be a top striker.” 

Words: Mark Glesson
Photography: Adam Davy/BackPagePix  

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Pele vs Sweden

1958 Final

Pelé was only 17 in the 1958 World Cup final, yet he played with a confidence of a veteran.

He scored twice in Brazil’s 5-2 win over Sweden, including a brilliant goal in which he flicked the ball over a defender and finished calmly. What makes the performance so iconic is not just the goals, but the fact he was able to do it on the biggest stage without fear. The teenage forward announced himself to the world and delivered Brazil’s first world title in spectacular fashion.

1966 Quarter-final

Portugal looked finished when North Korea surged into a 3-0 lead in the 1966 World Cup quarter-finals, but Mozambican-born Eusebio responded with one of the great rescue acts in the history of the global finals. He scored four times as Portugal roared back to win 5-3, blending power, intelligence and ruthless finishing. Eusebio dragged his team back into the match almost single-handedly and showed his ability to change a game on his own through his sheer quality.

Diego Maradona vs England

1986 Quarter-final

Maradona’s display against England is probably the most famous individual World Cup performance ever. In one match, he produced two of the sport’s most memorable moments.

First, the controversial Hand of God’ opener that was a clear cheat, and then extraordinary solo run later named the Goal of the Century and with good reason. Beyond those moments, he controlled the tempo, carried Argentina forward under pressure, and looked like the game’s most potent start to finish. It was genius and chaos all in one brilliant, controversial performance.

@the.goatxx

Garrincha vs Chile

1962 Semi-final

With Pelé injured for much of the 1962 World Cup, Brazil needed someone to carry the attack, and Garrincha did exactly that. Against host nation Chile in the semi-finals, he was devastating with his direct, fearless and inventive dribbling that made him nearly impossible to stop in one-on-one situations. He scored twice and constantly destabilised the Chilean defence with his unpredictability. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone Brazil’s brilliance was not dependent on one superstar alone. It is also the reason why Garrincha is considered one of the greatest dribblers of all time.

Geoff Hurst vs West Germany

1966 Final

A hat-trick in a World Cup final has only happened twice in history, but Geoff Hurst’s performance in the 1966 final matters for more than the statistic alone. He was sharp, composed and decisive in the biggest match England have ever played. His second goal remains one of football’s most debated moments, and evidence now suggests it did not cross the line, while his third, struck late with England pouring forward, sealed the match. Finals are usually tense, cagey affairs, but Hurst shone in this setting and his goals delivered England their only title.

@footballworld9442

Paolo Rossi vs Brazil

1982 Second Group Stage

Brazil’s 1982 side is remembered as one of the most stylish teams ever, which is exactly why Paolo Rossi’s destruction of them deserves such praise. Italy needed a win, and Rossi delivered a hat-trick in a 3-2 victory that shattered one of football’s greatest romantically remembered teams. It was an excellent individual display that showed his predatory instincts and would help him win the Golden Boot, and the Golden Ball, at those finals as he scored six times in all, including the final win over West Germany. In one afternoon in the group stages, Rossi changed the whole narrative of that World Cup.

Oleg Salenko vs Cameroon

1994 Group Stage

Oleg Salenko’s place on this list comes from a statistical achievement so extreme it still seems almost impossible as he scored five goals in a single World Cup match. Against Cameroon, he finished clinically again and again as Russia won 6-1, setting a record that still stands in the men’s tournament. Three of his goals came in the first half, including a penalty, and he then added two more in three second half minutes. With some real minnows in the 2026 tournament, could we see this record matched lor even beaten?

Ronaldo vs Germany

2002 Final

The Brazilian Ronaldo’s two goals in the 2002 final were historic not just because they won the trophy, but because they completed one of football’s great redemption stories. Four years earlier in France, his World Cup final had ended in disappointment. After serious knee injuries threatened his career, he returned to lead Brazil again and scored both goals against Germany. He was sharp, alert and predatory, especially on the rebound for his first. The performance gave Brazil the title and gave Ronaldo back his reputation as one of the greatest strikers to have ever lived.

@evcrlqre

Zinedine Zidane vs Brazil

2006 Quarter-final

This was not a hat-trick performance or a statistical anomaly, but rarely has there ever been a player to so completely control a game on such a big stage.

Against a Brazil team packed with star names, France’s Zinedine Zidane dictated the game with his incredible technical ability. Every touch seemed to slow defenders down and open space for France. He drifted between midfield and attack, repeatedly escaping pressure and creating danger, including the free-kick that led to Thierry Henry’s winner. He was simply unbeatable that day.

Kylian Mbappe vs Argentina

2022 Final

He might have ultimately ended up on the losing side, but Kylian Mappé’s (below) final was an astonishing individual performance as he became the second player after Hurst to score a hat-trick in the showpiece decider. For long stretches France were flat and second-best, then Mbappe exploded into the game and changed everything. He scored twice in quick succession, one from the penalty-spot, to force extra-time, then completed a hat-trick to send the game to penalties. He scored in the shoot-out, but it was not meant to be for France, who fell

Words: Nick Said

Images: IBL/Shutterstock/Hulton Archive/VCG/Getty/Gallo Images

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Pele (Brazil)

In many people’s eyes, Pelé (left) was the greatest player ever, but while that debate can rage on, there is no doubt he has been the most impactful in World Cup history.

He is the only player to win three men’s World Cups, helping Brazil to the titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He also scored 12 World Cup goals, which lists him among the top scorers in tournament history. To have lifted the trophy 12 years apart is also a great achievement and shows his longevity, though his title in 1958 did come as a 17-year-old.

He passed away in 2022 at the age of 82.

@allaboutfoodball

Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Another contender for the greatest player ever, Maradona certainly left his mark on the World Cup, for good and bad. His 1986 title triumph with Argentina sums up his career perfectly. He was sublime, a master, and led his team to the trophy with scintillating performances, goals and assists. But there was also the infamous Hand of God goal against England in the quarter-finals that was a clear cheat. In the same game, he scored one of the great goals in World Cup history.

He took Argentina to the final again in 1990, where they lost to West Germany and at the 1994 tournament was banned for drug use. He was, in every sense, a flawed genius.

Zinedine Zidane (France)

Zidane (right) was central to France’s 1998 final win on home soil and managed two headed goals in the final against Brazil. But arguably his best performance came in 2006 in a final that ended in bitter disappointment for him when he was sent off for an infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi and France lost on penalties to Italy. His performance against Brazil in the quarter-finals is regarded as among the best in World Cup history and he won the Golden Ball that year despite his final meltdown. A simply sublime midfielder who you felt could do anything with the ball.

Garrincha (Brazil)

Young Pelé might have dominated many of the headlines during Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup wins, but there was an equally influential player at both those tournaments in winger Garrincha. He had incredible dribbling skills, perhaps the best of all time, and would bamboozle defences, scoring goals and laying on assists for others.

Pelé was actually injured for part of the 1962 tournament and Garrincha took over as Brazil’s main man.

Amazingly, Brazil never lost a match while fielding both Garrincha and Pelé. Garrincha died in 1983 aged just 49, having succumbed to alcoholism.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi’s (below) World Cup story is not complete as he hopes to take Argentina to back-to-back titles in 2026 after being central to their success in Qatar four years ago. He won the Golden Ball at that tournament, as he did in 2014 when he took Argentina to the final, but they lost again to the Germans.

He owns the record for the most World Cup appearances with 26 and will play at his sixth finals in 2026, having debuted 20 years ago in Germany.

@zoeimmigration

Johan Cruyff (Nethelands)

Cruyff played in only one World Cup, in 1974, and did not manage to lift the trophy, but the mark he left on the tournament and global football as a whole enhanced his legend status and made him one of the most influential players of all time. The Dutch legend created an astonishing 36 chances in the tournament, the most ever by any player, and his style of play within the Netherlands’ ‘Total Football’ changed the way many people saw the game. West Germany came from behind to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the final, with Müller netting the winning goal. He died after a battle with cancer aged 68 in 2016.

@goalglobal

Paolo Rossi (Italy)

Rossi completely owned the 1982 World Cup as his six goals helped Italy to the title in the tournament played in Spain. He became one of a select group of players to win the Golden Boot (top scorer), Golden Ball (best player) and World Cup trophy, and later that year claimed the Ballon d’Or as well.

It was a truly dominant display, but he had also scored three goals at the 1978 tournament to take his career tally at World Cups to nine.

@retro.calcio

Gerd Muller (West Germany)

Müller was one of the most efficient World Cup scorers ever, with 14 goals in just 13 appearances, which sets him apart from many strikers. He scored 10 goals at the 1970 finals, before helping Germany lift the title four years later.

Fellow German Miroslav Klose is the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup with 18 goals from 24 appearances, but Müller had a better conversion rate and on his day was deadly. There have been few others more clinical in front of goal.

He died aged 71 in 2021, having scored 68 goals in 62 caps for West Germany.

Ronaldo (Brazil)

Somewhat controversially, we have chosen the ‘original Ronaldo’ from Brazil – R9 – rather than his Portuguese namesake Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal. The Brazilian played a huge part in leading his side to the 2002 title in Japan and South Korea, where he scored eight goals and was undoubtedly the leading forward in the world at the time. Four years earlier he helped Brazil to the 1998 final, and played despite not being fit as they lost 3-0 to France. He is second on the all-time World Cup scorers chart with 15 goals and won the Golden Ball in 1998.

@somosfutbol24

Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)

Beckenbauer (left) won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, one of only three men, alongside Mário Zagallo (Brazil) and Didier Deschamps (France), to do so. His first tournament as a player ended in disappointment when West Germany lost the 1966 final to England, though he was named young player of the tournament that year.

The Germans were undone by the great Brazilian side in 1970, but Beckenbauer finally captained his side to the title in 1974. He later coached West Germany to the title in 1990.

He is regarded as among the greatest defenders ever to play the game and passed away aged 78 in 2024.

[Check out this video of AI choosing the best players over the years]

Words: Nick Said

Photography: Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/BackPagePix/Getty Images

Text courtesy of Soccer Club magazine.

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For those who experience the pull of an engine rev as something almost spiritual, motorsport museums offer more than static displays. They are living archives of human ingenuity, ambition and speed. Across continents, these spaces invite visitors to step into the stories behind the machines, tracing the evolution of racing from gritty endurance trails to cutting-edge technological spectacle. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia, design inspiration or pure adrenaline, this is your passport to the ultimate motorsport pilgrimage

United States: Where speed became spectacle

At the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, racing history feels almost sacred. Situated inside the famed oval of the Indianapolis 500, its museum captures over a century of American motorsport. Expect to stand inches away from iconic Indy 500 winning cars, each representing a moment when engineering met nerve at 300km/h. It’s not just about speed here – it is about legacy, tradition and the relentless pursuit of victory.

On the West Coast, in LA, the Petersen Automotive Museum offers a broader cultural lens. Sleek, immersive and visually striking. it blends motorsport with design and pop culture. Rotating exhibitions keep things fresh, but the motorsport galleries – featuring everything from F1 cars to endurance racers – highlight how racing innovation trickles down into everyday automotive design.

@petersen_museum

In the South, in Alabama, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a hidden gem. Home to the world’s largest collection of motorbikes alongside an impressive array of race cars, it’s a love letter to mechanical craftsmanship. The building is surrounded by a lush racetrack that adds to the sensory experience, making it less like a museum and more like a sanctuary of speed.

Europe: The Heart of Motorsport Heritage

In Stuttgart, Germany, the Mercedes-Benz Museum is (to be expected) an architectural and engineering marvel. Its spiral design takes visitors on a chronological journey through automotive history, with motorsport threaded throughout. From the 1930s-50s Silver Arrows era to modern Formula 1 dominance, the museum captures how Mercedes-Benz has consistently redefined performance and innovation. Italy, of course, delivers pure passion.

@mayson_berliner

The Museo Ferrari in Marinello and the Enzo Ferrari Museum in neighbouring Modena are less museums and more emotional experience. Dedicated to the legacy of Enzo Ferrari, they immerse visitors in the mythology of the Prancing Horse. Expect championship-winning F1 cars on display. interactive simulators and exhibitions that celebrate Ferrari’s fusion of artistry and speed. It’s visceral, loud (even in silence) and unmistakably Italian.

Not far away, in France, the Le Mans 24 Hour Museum captures the endurance spirit of the legendary race – the world’s oldest active endurance sportscar race held annually since 1923. Here, the focus shifts from outright speed to resilience. It’s all about cars that have raced throughout the night, drivers who pushed beyond exhaustion and innovations born from necessity. The rotating display of winning cars, from vintage prototypes to modern hybrids, tell a story of survival as much as success.

@24heuresdumans

A Local Lens: South Africa’s Racing Legacy

Closer to home, Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town offers a gateway into South Africa’s motorsport culture. While not a traditional museum, its on-site displays, historic race events and club culture create a living archive of local racing history. From classic saloon cars to contemporary track days, Killarney embodies the grassroots passion that fuels motorsport in our country.

On race weekends, the atmosphere of roaring engines, braai smoke and devoted fans has become an experience no static exhibition could ever replicate.

Vehicle enthusiasts should also head over to the Franschhoek Motor Museum. Housed on the L’Ormarins Estate in the Cape winelands, it features the extraordinary private collection of the Rupert family, spanning over a century of automotive history, including rare racing machines. It’s quieter and more contemplative, but no less powerful in showcasing the evolution of speed and design.

@itsnot_immo

Words: Aaliyah Omar

Photos: Gall/Getty Images, Shutterstock, Unsplashed

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 Rugby has never been in a better space. The recent Six Nations was widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive in history, with Italy beating England for the first time, Scotland scoring 50 points against eventual winners France, and fullback Thomas Ramos kicking a last-gasp penalty against England to steer Les Bleus to glory and deny Ireland the title. Records tumbled over the course of the northern hemisphere showpiece, with 111 tries scored overall, and with France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey breaking his own record, by dotting down nine times. 

@sixnationsrugby 22 years old. 27 caps. 29 tries for Louis Bielle-Biarrey. 🤯 How far can he go? 💎 #sixnationsrugby #since1883 #guinnessm6n #rugbytok #rugby #xvdefrance ♬ son original – Guinness Men’s Six Nations

Attacking rugby is in the ascendancy in this World Cup cycle, if one considers that the Springboks – the southern-hemisphere’s leading team as well as the No.1 side in the world – broke their own records across the 2025 Test season when they scored 81 tries and 572 points. 

While the tries and points are flowing, the contest for possession at set pieces like the scrum and lineout are fiercer than ever – and contrary to what some might believe, an increase in the number of kicks from hand and aerial contests has contributed to the spike in tries and points. 

Does the game of rugby need fundamental changes at this stage? The numbers above would suggest not.  

And yet, there are parts of the community that would see the scrum – one of the sport’s defining features – reduced and depowered. Some feel that the set pieces are slowing the game down, even though the data shows how scrums, lineouts and mauls create space for the attack, and directly contribute to tries and points.  

Earlier this year at the Shape of the Game conference in London, Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus and France coach Fabien Galthié led the pushback against the proposed changes to the set pieces. 

The war may be far from over, but for now, the battle for rugby’s soul has been won. At the very least, the game’s laws will remain unchanged until after the 2027 World Cup in Australia. 

“We’re satisfied that we gave our opinion and that World Rugby will make decisions with proper input,” Erasmus said.  

Former Ireland fullback Felix Jones, who serves as one of the senior assistant coaches in the Bok set-up, explained why it was necessary to challenge the negative narrative around kicking and scrums. 

“That was a narrative that was put out there, with not a lot of facts behind it,” Jones said. “The numbers are pretty conclusive: scrums aren’t increasing due to a spike in contestable kicking. 

“That actually came up a few times at the Shape of the Game conference in London. In the end, there was a lot of positivity around the aerial contest and what it’s doing for the game, as it’s correlated with more line breaks, more tries, which everyone loves to see.” 

“The thing is, when you see a contestable kick go up, no one says this is going to be boring for the next two minutes… everyone has a sense of anticipation, there’s going to be some sort of athletic contest to win the ball back, and a dynamic piece of play afterwards. 

That was the great thing about going to London, we got to see how much buy-in there is for rugby having a contest – whether it’s a scrum, maul or an aerial contest. The contest is unique to rugby union and we have to keep driving that.” 

 Administrators in Australia and New Zealand, however, are attempting to steer the game in a different direction. 

Earlier this year, the Super Rugby Pacific tournament implemented several new law variations, such as replacing certain scrum options with a free-kick, with the aim of boosting the tempo of play. 

The Australasians are not fans of the kick contest either, with former and current players complaining about the lack of protection for the receiving player in these scenarios – even though this has led to broken-field situations and better attacking opportunities across the board. 

“Some of the World Rugby rules right now, I mean far out,” Hurricanes and All Blacks utility back Ruben Love told SkySports NZ. “There’s no support in the backfield, so World Rugby, if you’re watching, change that rule asap.” Jones and the Boks – as well as others France, Ireland, Italy and even ball-in-hand maestros like Scotland – are reaping significant attacking rewards from the kicking tactic and the chaos that ensues if the ball bounces loose. 

“We’ve seen how important it is to be able to adapt during those transitions,” said Jones. “Teams are getting creative, largely due to the increase of contestable kicking.  

“It’s difficult from a defensive view, because you don’t have a reference point, but on the flip side the opportunity that comes with the broken field, to play what’s in front of your face, the skills and athletic profiles that you can exploit are massive. 

“A lot of attack coaches are getting excited the second contest when the ball bounces loose, and defence coaches are having to think about it, on top of the actual aerial contest itself” Mzwandile Stick, Bok coach, believes it has been great for the game. 

“The game has changed for the better in terms of these contests,” he said. “I understand in the past when supporters got frustrated by the kick tennis, because it seemed like nothing was happening for long periods of time. Now there are more contests, and more opportunities, and the fans are probably getting more value for their money.” 

Springbok defense coach Jerry Flannery pointed out that these scenarios are difficult to manage for the defensive side, but the better teams will find a way. 

“You’ve got to look at the pressure you can exert on the quality of the opposition’s kick,” said Flannery. “Then it’s about how you align your players, firstly in the air, giving you the best chance to win the ball back, and on the ground if the ball goes loose. 

‘In the past, attacking teams would take a quick tap or a quick throw to catch the defence unstructured. These days, the best way to do that is through the contestable kick, and it’s happening just about every second or third kick, the game is being blown wide open. 

“It is a challenge for the defence, but it’s been good for the game.” 

 Will rugby ever have a global season?  

Leading players from South Africa and Argentina are currently subjected to a never-ending season, with the northern hemisphere club schedule stretching from September to June, and the southern hemisphere Test calendar running from July to November. 

Player welfare advocates and conditioning experts have called for a more streamlined season, which will ensure that the game’s stars have sufficient opportunity to rest. 

The topic was broached at the Shape of the Game conference in London earlier this year, and it remains to be seen if the northern and southern hemispheres will align in the coming years. 

‘We need it for player welfare, and to get more international players competing in the club competitions” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.   

“Something will have to give somewhere – either the Rugby Championship will have to be earlier in the year or the Six Nations a bit later. We need a window for Test rugby and a window for club rugby. How do you fit all that into 365 days? That is the challenge” 

“There is a working group working on it [at World Rugby]. They hope that by 2027 we will be in a position to know if there will ever be a global season.”‘ Springbok head of athletic performance Andy Edwards agreed that it needs to be implemented sooner rather than later. 

“A global calendar would globalise rest periods and solve a lot of the existing player-welfare problems, Edwards said. 

 Words by: Jon Cardinelli  

 Images: Andrew Matthews BackPagePix  

The post Rugby’s new era  appeared first on TFG Media.

Paolo Barilla’s journey bridges two seemingly unrelated worlds – motorsport and food – but at its core, it is a story about relentless pursuit of excellence, courage, innovation and leaving a legacy that inspires future generations. 

Instead of embracing a future in his family’s food business, young Paulo pursued another passion instead. He entered the world of racing at 14 years old with karting – a discipline known for shaping the skills and instincts of future champions. A year later, in 1976, he’d already claimed the Italian 100cc karting title. Karting was more than a sport for him; it was a classroom for precision, strategy and the art of reading a racetrack. 

Over the next decade, Paolo steadily built a career defined by consistency and achievement. His drive and determination eventually led him in the early 1980s to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most gruelling races in the world. After two attempts and not finishing, in 1985 he achieved one of the most coveted victories in motorsport, crossing the finish line in a Porsche. This marked him as not only a skilled driver but a master of endurance racing, where focus, stamina and teamwork are just as crucial as speed. 

Paolo then focused on Formula 2 and 3, winning two of his races, before reaching another milestone in 1989 when he debuted in Formula 1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, driving for the Minardi-Ford team. Although F1 presented an entirely new level of challenge and global attention, Paolo approached it with the same mindset that had guided him from karting to Le Mans. 

His F1 career was brief, lasting just two years, but in many ways it was more of a personal journey – the culmination of years of discipline, hard work and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of excellence. 

Culinary Mind  

After his motorsport career (which included trying his hand at off road racing in the Paris- Dakar rally), Paolo took a road that surprised many, but made perfect sense for someone so driven – and who is, after all, a member of an iconic Italian food family (in business since 1877, when it was a humble bakery in Parma).  

In 1991, he joined the business (at its French office), transitioning from fast cars to the food world. Where he once chased milliseconds on a racetrack, he now pursued flavour, quality and cultural heritage.  

Paolo approached his work with the same rigour he had applied to racing. He became deeply involved in understanding the production process, exploring how ingredients, techniques and tradition could combine to create products that reflect Italian excellence and cuisine. 

In 1994 he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the company (a position he still holds). Through his leadership, the Barilla brand has continued to embrace innovation while honouring tradition. It has also expanded its operations all over the globe, and he’s helped turn it into the world’s largest producer of pasta.  

His passion for the food industry extends beyond profits; Paulo is also chairman of the Barilla Food & Nutrition Foundation (which research sustainability and global food challenges) and the Italian Food Association. 

Legacy In Motion  

Paolo Barilla’s story is about more than personal achievement; it’s about influence, vision and creating a lasting impact across industries. In motorsport, he demonstrated that discipline, resilience and teamwork are essential for success. In the family business, those same values translate into careful stewardship, innovation and a deep respect for heritage. 

Paolo’s ability to excel in such different arenas underscores a fundamental truth: the qualities that make someone a champion are not limited to a single field – they are universal. His legacy extends beyond the world of business or motorsport, serving as an example of how passion, curiosity and dedication can fuel success in any field. From high-speed circuits to high-tech food production, Paolo Barilla has consistently demonstrated that mastery, when guided by passion and discipline, transcends boundaries. 

@scuderiafrancesco DID YOU KNOW? Ep. 2 – Barilla 🍝🇮🇹 Paolo Barilla left F1 to run his family’s business—Barilla, the world’s largest pasta company!Eat pasta, go fasta! 🏎️💨 Big thanks to F190 Store (36 Mihai Eminescu) for providing the space! Their specialty coffee is top-tier, and their name almost feels made for our F1 concept. Speaking of F1 in 90’, that was the year Ayrton Senna won his second world championship! As for what F190 really means, visit their shop and ask Bogdan, a 10/10 guy who’ll tell you all about it. ☕🏁 #scuderiafrancesco #F1 #formula1 #italy #pasta ♬ original sound – Scuderia Francesco

Whether behind the wheel or leading a global brand, Paolo Barilla has also proven that performance and culture can coexist, creating a narrative that is as compelling as it is unique.  

When he returned to the F3 track in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix in 2014 – two decades after his racing career ended – he won the race (driving a 1976 Chevron B34), proving he still has what it takes to be a champion on the tarmac. 

And in a perfect full-circle moment, last year, the Barilla brand became an official partner of Formula 1. 

Click here for cool pasta-themed playlists.

Words: Kauthar Booley  

Photos: Gallo/Getty Images, Shutterstock 

The post Paolo Barilla’s second course appeared first on TFG Media.

Ronwen Williams  

Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

Williams is the captain of the team and the last line of defence. One thing that is for sure, is that Williams is likely to be a busy man. He has proven before at major finals that he can carry Bafana Bafana through, and he will have to be at his best again. But more than a great shot-stopper, he is also the leader and the one who organises the defence. He will join the likes of Hans Vonk, Andre Arendse and Itumeleng Khune as the first-choice keeper for Bafana at a World Cup. 

@caf_online Ronwen Williams has become the first goalkeeper to save 4 penalties in a single TotalEnergies AFCON shootout. 🤯🇿🇦 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #AFCON #SportsOnTikTok ♬ original sound – CAF_Online

Khuliso Mudau  

Position: Right-back
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

Mudau is now vastly experienced after his exploits with the national team and Mamelodi Sundowns in Champions League football, and remains a key weapon for the team. He can attack as a wing-back, but is also a very intelligent defender and, against teams that use quick attackers with plenty of skill, he will need to keep his flank quiet. But he also has the ability to create and score goals and loves to get forward. 

@caf_online Khuliso Mudau’s footwork takes QNet_Official #SkillOfTheDay. ✨ #TotalEnergiesCAFCL ♬ original sound – CAF_Online

Mbekezile Mbokazi  

Position: Centre-back
Club: Chicago Fire, United States 

Mbokazi has had such a meteoric rise in both club and international football that it is easy to forget he only really broke into the Orlando Pirates first team in March last year. But once he earned his place, he never let go of it and, within months, was elevated to the Bafana side, where he has also became a regular. Coach Hugo Broos suggested they had been looking for a player of his physicality and quality for some time. He is primarily a defender, but also has an excellent passing range and a rocket shot. His recent move to Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer has exposed him to different styles and, if he does have a solid World Cup, the 20-year-old’s value will only skyrocket. 

@chicagofireWhat a strike from TLB 🇿🇦🔥 #mls #chicago #bafanabafana #soccer #southafrica♬ original sound – Chicago Fire

Teboho Mokoena  

Position: Midfielder
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

The engine of the Bafana midfield, Mokoena is like a Rolls-Royce with his high work-rate from box to box and his importance as both an attacking and defensive threat in the side. He scores spectacular goals and is dangerous from range, but can also break up the opposition’s play and be a physical threat in the centre of the park. He now has vast experience, having spent the better part of a decade in the national team, and is also a key player for Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Relebohile Mofokeng  

Position: Winger/attacking midfielder
Club: Orlando Pirates 

If he can stay fit, Themba Zwane could well get the nod as the starting ’10’ in the team because of his experience, but do not discount the impact of Mofokeng when given the opportunity either from kick-off or as an impact player off the bench. Broos has already said he does not see the player as a winger, where he has spent most of his career but rather as a creative force behind the striker, able to provide chances but also score goals. There has long been talk that Mofokeng should be playing overseas; this World Cup will be a chance to test that theory. 

@bucs.lad 😂🏴‍☠️🔥#relebohilemofokeng ♬ Salary Salary – Robot Boii & Mellow & Sleazy & Soul Revolver

Oswin Appollis  

Position: Winger
Club: Orlando Pirates 

Appollis has emerged as Bafana’s most potent attacking weapon over the last 18 months, with no player managing more than the seven goals he has scored during that time. He has also provided several assists with his trickery on the ball and quality in the cross. He can beat a defender and has an end product in the final third that is missing from so many other players in the Premier Soccer League. He is still only 24, so this will be a big audition for him. 

Lyle Foster  

Position: Striker
Club: Burnley, England 

Foster will almost certainly be the lead striker in the squad and be asked to play up front on his own, using his hold-up play to bring others into the game. It is a role he plays very well, even if at Burnley in the Premier League he is used more as a wide attacker. He is into double figures for goals for the national team and is a good finisher, having learnt a lot from his time in France, Portugal and Belgium before moving to England. He was a prodigious talent as a youngster and is now playing in arguably the best league in the world. This tournament is a chance for him to show he has gone to a new level. 

Words: Nic Said
Photography: Gerhaad Durbaan/Muzi Ntombela/Samuel Shivambu/ Richard Sellers/Backpagepix 

Also read: Banyana Banyana: Top 10 players over the years

The post A look at standout Bafana Bafana players appeared first on TFG Media.