Sharks to name Mtembu as Currie Cup captain

In a surprise but progressive move, loose forward Lubabalo Mtembu will today be named as the Sharks Currie Cup captain.

The Times has it on good authority that the Sharks team management has entrusted Mtembu with the responsibility.

His tenure begins in earnest on Saturday next week when the Sharks travel to Kimberley to face Griquas.

The Sharks will be defending the title they won away from home when they shocked Western Province 33-19 at Newlands last year.

Mtembu, 23, replaces fellow loose forward and Springbok Keegan Daniel, who will be playing for Kubota in Japan.

Daniel led the Sharks to their first Currie Cup title win in three years after they had lost in two successive finals.

Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship begins on August 16 when Australia host New Zealand and the Springboks face Argentina at Loftus Versfeld.

Khanyiso Tshwaku

Nike just do it for the Soweto Marathon

Sports apparel manufacturer Nike is coming on board as sponsors of the Soweto Marathon, which was cancelled last year due to lack of funds.

The announcement will be made at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto, this afternoon.

A source involved in the negotiations told The Times: "I can confirm [that] Nike have come on board as the main sponsors of the Soweto Marathon.

"We want to inform all the runners that the marathon is back this year and they can start preparing themselves. It will take place on November 2.

"All the necessary details about the marathon will be announced [today]," the source said.

The marathon has not been sponsored since the withdrawal of Nedbank in 2009.

It was cancelled in October last year due to lack of money for prizes.

At the time there were reports of infighting between Athletics SA and the trust over ownership of the marathon.

Ramatsiyi Moholoa