South Africa’s ‘King of Many Nations’, Nkosi Ndebele conquers global …

South African MMA fighter ‘The King of Many Nations’, Nkosi Ndebele, announced himself on the PFL global stage with a dominant unanimous decision victory (30-26 x3) over Brandon Davis in a catchweight bout in Washington, DC, on Saturday, 25 July. zeppelin.cool

The win extends the Diepsloot-born fighter’s perfect PFL record, building on his triumph as the inaugural PFL Africa Bantamweight Champion in 2025.

Speaking after the fight, Ndebele said, “PFL Global is where I belong and I needed to prove that. Being able to represent African talent and prove that African MMA talent can make it on the global stage feels amazing. Brandon Davis was a formidable opponent and it was a great fight.”

Ndebele also thanked his South African supporters, saying, “Mzansi fo sho! Keep supporting, we need your love and support and we keep raising the flag.”

Ndebele was not the only fighter to successfully transition from PFL Africa to PFL Global. On the main card, Democratic Republic of Congo fighter Eliezer Kubanza defeated Chris Mixan via second-round D’Arce choke submission at 2:34.

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Miguel Reisinho appears set to part ways with Mamelodi Sundowns after just one season in South Africa, having struggled to settle following his move from Portugal.

While the club has yet to officially confirm his departure, Reisinho has not reported for pre-season and is reportedly keeping fit on his own back in Portugal.

Unlike his Portuguese compatriot Nuno Santos, Reisinho found game time hard to come by after joining Sundowns from Liga Portugal outfit Boavista last season.

While Santos established himself as a key figure in the Sundowns side that went on to win the CAF Champions League, Reisinho spent much of the campaign on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old endured a difficult start to life at Chloorkop after being sent off on his debut in the 2025 Carling Knockout Last 16 clash against Marumo Gallants at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Despite showing glimpses of his quality, Reisinho struggled to cement a regular place in the team throughout the season. Although nothing has been made official by the club, all indications suggest Reisinho’s stint at Sundowns has come to an end after only one campaign.

Overall, he made 14 appearances across all competitions for the Brazilians, scoring two goals. His final outing came in Sundowns’ last Betway Premiership fixture of the season, a 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy.

Une semaine après la conclusion de la Coupe du monde 2026 et alors que l’arrivée de Zinédine Zidane à la tête de l’équipe de France doit être officialisée, Kylian Mbappé a choisi de prendre la parole à travers une lettre adressée aux supporters tricolores.

Loin des formats habituels, l’attaquant des Bleus n’a pas opté pour une interview ou une publication sur les réseaux sociaux. Le capitaine français a livré un message publié dans plusieurs journaux, dont L’Équipe, afin de remercier tous ceux qui ont accompagné la sélection durant son parcours au Mondial.

Dans cette lettre, le joueur du Real Madrid revient sur un mois intense marqué par « l’émotion », « la fierté » et « le dépassement de soi », tout en reconnaissant la douleur liée à l’absence de trophée après la défaite en finale.

« Nous ne ramenons pas de titre collectif. Cela fait mal et cela continuera encore quelque temps », a écrit Mbappé, tout en soulignant la fierté d’avoir vécu cette aventure avec les supporters français.

Un bilan personnel marqué par les records

Le capitaine tricolore est également revenu sur sa performance individuelle durant la compétition. Avec 10 buts inscrits, il a terminé meilleur buteur du tournoi, une récompense qu’il accueille avec satisfaction mais qu’il aurait préféré accompagner d’un sacre mondial.

« Ce trophée individuel est une fierté, mais il aurait eu une saveur différente avec la Coupe en plus. Nous aurions aimé vous offrir une meilleure conclusion. Pourtant, nous avons tout donné, et nous pouvons être fiers de cela », a-t-il expliqué.

Mbappé a ensuite tenu à mettre en avant le rôle de ses partenaires, rappelant que ses performances n’auraient pas été possibles sans le travail collectif.

« Sans leurs efforts, leurs courses, leurs passes et cet esprit d’équipe qui nous a accompagnés du premier au dernier match, je n’aurais jamais pu inscrire autant de buts », a-t-il écrit.

Le Français a aussi évoqué son parcours personnel, lui qui a disputé sa troisième Coupe du monde, remporté une en 2022 et porté pour la première fois le brassard de capitaine lors de cette édition.

Un hommage appuyé aux supporters et à Deschamps

Dans son message, Mbappé a réservé une place importante au public français, qu’il remercie pour son soutien malgré la déception finale.

Il a salué ceux qui ont suivi les rencontres depuis la France, dans les familles, les bars ou entre amis, mais aussi ceux qui ont fait le déplacement dans les stades américains pour encourager les Bleus.

Pour lui, cette aventure appartient à tous : « Cette histoire a été écrite par plusieurs millions de mains, pas seulement par les onze joueurs présents sur le terrain ».

Le capitaine français n’a pas oublié Didier Deschamps, qui a dirigé sa dernière compétition après 14 années à la tête de la sélection.

Mbappé a adressé ses remerciements au sélectionneur, mais aussi à l’ensemble de son staff et aux membres de l’ombre qui participent au fonctionnement quotidien de l’équipe de France.

Une nouvelle page avec Zidane

Alors que la page Deschamps se tourne et que Zinédine Zidane s’apprête à prendre les commandes des Bleus, Mbappé affiche déjà son enthousiasme pour la suite.

« La Coupe du monde se termine, mais l’histoire continue. Il y aura d’autres matches, d’autres rendez-vous où nous nous retrouverons avec la même passion et la même envie », a conclu l’attaquant.

Une manière pour le capitaine français de refermer le chapitre du Mondial 2026 tout en lançant déjà le prochain cycle de l’équipe de France.

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There could be worrying signs surrounding the availability of Ox Nche for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series between the Springboks and All Blacks after Ntuthuko Mchunu was drafted into the Bok squad on Monday.

Mchunu joins the group of now 44 players that are preparing for the one-off Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires next weekend and the RGR series that kicks off next week.

An SA Rugby release on Monday didn’t state why Mchunu had joined the squad, but it was likely due to an injury in the prop ranks.

Mchunu, who earned his fourth Bok cap against Scotland in a Nations Championship clash earlier this month, had initially been released to his franchise and was set to feature for the Stormers in their tour match against the All Blacks next week, but he will now be preparing with the Boks.

Nche injury

Nche, who picked up a knee injury during the Boks win over England at the start of the month, was always set to miss the trip to Argentina according to Bok coach Rassie Erasmus, but he was expected to recover in time to face the All Blacks.

That may now be in doubt, although Mchunu’s inclusion could also be down to a niggle picked up by one of the other props in the Bok camp.

The squad assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday evening and resumed their on-field preparations on Monday.

The Bok coach was set to name his travelling squad to Argentina later in the week for the Test in Buenos Aires next weekend, with that group of players and management departing for Argentina in two groups on Saturday.

The remaining players will put their full focus into the matches against New Zealand under the guidance of a few coaches, medical staff and team management at their training base in Johannesburg.

Chad le Clos is in the closing stages of his career, and his retirement seems imminent, but no matter what else he achieves, he will always be remembered as an icon of South African sport.

Comparing athletes in different codes is difficult, but there are some individuals who stand out as legends of their sports: Gary Player, Jacques Kallis, Siya Kolisi, Karla Pretorius, Wayde van Niekerk.

Le Clos, however, might be the best of the lot. His career record is absolutely incredible.

The 34-year-old swimmer is the most decorated Olympian South Africa has produced, having secured four medals, including one gold and three silver, at the prestigious multi-sport showpiece.

He is also a seven-time medallist at the World Aquatics Championships, with a haul that includes four golds, and a 20-time medallist at the World Short-Course Championships, including 12 golds.

In addition, while none of them still stand, he has also broken short-course world records four times in his career in the 100m and 200m butterfly events.

And while the Commonwealth Games is not a global competition, his performances at the quadrennial spectacle not only showcase his ability but also his longevity.

Making history

Since making his debut in Delhi in 2010, at the age of 18, Le Clos has become the most decorated male athlete in the history of the Commonwealth showpiece.

On Friday night, he earned bronze as part of the SA men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, claiming his 19th medal and stepping on the podium at a fifth successive edition of the Games.

In the process, he surpassed the 18-medal haul achieved by sport shooters Phil Adams (Australia) and Mick Gault (England).

Le Clos was still one medal short of Australian swimmer Emma McKeon who held the overall record of 20 Commonwealth medals.

With the swimming programme concluding on Wednesday, Le Clos might step on the podium again, but even if he doesn’t, his career should be celebrated.

And while other South African sport stars have also achieved remarkable things, we do have to ask: Is he the greatest of them all?