UPDATE | Hollywoodbets Durban July 2026 favourite scratched

In a bombshell announcement on Tuesday afternoon, Hollywoodbets Durban July 2026 favourite Star Major was scratched for Saturday’s race.

Star Major was scratched at 13:40 for reason of elevated temperature.

A 20% deduction to apply on bets taken after final field was announced last week. hiddenlangkawi.club

The scratching leaves French jockey Mickaelle Michel without a ride in the main race. Michel was bidding to become the first female winner of the race in what will be the 130th running.

First reserve, Choisaanada, for trainer Erico Verdonese, will now start from the No 4 gate.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

Revised handicap conditions

Sponsored for a fifth consecutive year by Hollywoodbets, the Grade 1 spectacle boasts a record R10 million purse, with the winning connections set to pocket an unprecedented R6 million – the largest winner’s cheque in African graded racing history.

This year’s renewal marks another significant evolution for the iconic 2 200m contest, with prize money now extending to the first 12 finishers in a move aimed at rewarding a broader spectrum of owners, trainers and jockeys.

The race will be run under revised handicap conditions for the first time, restoring the traditional 10kg weight spread across the field.

The bottom weight has been reduced from 53kg to 52kg, while the top weight increases from 60kg to 62kg, reinforcing the July’s status as a true open handicap.

Defending champion The Real Prince will not return to defend his crown, with connections opting to target the Hong Kong Jockey Club Champions Cup later in the season.

Nevertheless, the class of 2026 promises a fascinating contest featuring five Grade 1 winners and six fillies and mares.

International flavour

The international flavour of the event is highlighted by the presence of overseas-based riders Zac Lloyd, Chad Schofield alongside South African expatriate Mark du Plessis.

Much of the pre-race attention surrounds the powerful stable of five-time Durban July-winning trainer Justin Snaith, who sends out a five-pronged challenge as he bids to move ahead of fellow training legend Mike de Kock, who is also tied on five victories.

Australian jockey Zac Lloyd, fresh from riding a winner at Royal Ascot, was originally booked for the now-scratched Happy Verse but instead takes the reins aboard Regulation after drawing gate two.

Veteran jockey Andrew Fortune, who is expected to be making his final appearance in the great race, chose to partner dual Grade 1-winning filly Wish List from the Snaith stable and expressed satisfaction with his draw in stall seven. Remarkably, Fortune is still searching for a first Durban July victory.

Previous winners

Only five jockeys in this year’s line-up have previously won the race.

They are Craig Zackey, Richard Fourie, JP van der Merwe, Gavin Lerena and Kabelo Matsunyane.

Zackey, who guided The Real Prince to victory in 2025, will ride Viva’s Liberte for trainer Candice Bass. Bass made history in 2017 when Marinaresco became the first Durban July winner trained by a woman.

The Dawson sisters will also be represented by the mare Minogue, who will be partnered by reigning South African champion jockey Gavin Lerena, winner of the 2021 Durban July aboard Kommetdieding.

Stage is set

With a star-studded field, a record purse and revised conditions adding another layer of intrigue, the stage is set for another memorable chapter in the storied history of South Africa’s greatest horse race.

Latest betting

Betting has been suspended as the new odds are calculated following the announcement.

Hollywoodbets Durban July final field

Draw	Horse	Weight	MR	Jockey	Trainer
1	Isivivane	52	108	Sean Veale	Peter Muscutt
2	Regulation	52	106	Zac Lloyd	Justin Snaith
3	The Ultimate King	56.5	117	Kabelo Matsunyane	Tony Peter
4	Choisaanada	58.5	121	TBA	Erico Verdonese
5	Legal Counsel	62	128	Callan Murray	Justin Snaith
6	Hazy Dazy	54.5	117	Trent Mayhew	Corne Spies
7	Wish List	54.5	117	Andrew Fortune	Justin Snaith
8	Gladitorian	61.5	127	Muzi Yeni	Stuart Ferrie
9	Viva’s Liberte	53	114	Craig Zackey	Candice Bass
10	Native Ruler	58.5	121	Keagan de Melo	Justin Snaith
11	Note To Self	55.5	118	Richard Fourie	Justin Snaith
12	Zeitz	53	110	Serino Moodley	Andre Nel
13	Mocha Blend	56.5	117	Tristan Godden	Frank Robinson
14	I Salute You	54.5	113	Mark du Plessis	Peter Muscutt
15	Olivia’s Way	55	114	JP van der Merwe	Roy Magner
16	Minogue	56	116	Gavin Lerena	Candice / Tammy Dawson
17	King Pelles	59	122	Chad Schofield	Gareth van Zyl
18	Aladdin’s Lamp	53	110	Calvin Habib	Mike / Mathew de Kock
Reserve
19	Curious Girl	52	100	Reserve 2	Mike / Mathew de Kock

Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote has retained just four players from the side that put a century of points past Uruguay for Thursday’s Junior World Championship clash against hosts Georgia.

Lock JD Hattingh is the only forward to earn a second consecutive start, while three backs – Hendré Schoeman, Luan Giliomee and Markus Muller – retain their places in the run-on side.

Foote has elected to shift Giliomee, who started at fullback against Uruguay, to flyhalf for Thursday’s encounter. Muller will start at inside centre.

Centre Ethan Adams and wing Khuthadzo Rasivhaga were not considered due to niggles.

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Regular captain Siphosethu Mnebelele returns to the starting front row at hooker and will pack down between props Oliver Reid and Danie Kruger, with Hattingh and Heinrich Theron in the second row.

The three loose forwards are flankers Wasi Vyambwera and Luke Cannon, with Kebotile Maake at No 8.

In the backline, Jack Benade starts on the left wing, with Samuel Badenhorst and Muller forming the midfield combination. Vodacom Bulls star Cheswill Jooste is selected on the right wing, while Akahluwa Boqwana takes over at fullback.

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South Africa ran in 16 tries in a 104-7 rout of the South Americans but face a far sterner test against a powerful Georgia side.

Foote said the intention was always to rotate the squad, particularly given the demanding turnaround between pool matches.

“We are fortunate to have a quality squad that has played together several times already this year.

“Player load management is one of the key aspects of a tournament of this nature, and squad rotation plays a very important role in that regard.”

The Junior Boks play their final group game against Wales next Tuesday.

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Georgia suffered a one-point defeat to Wales in their opening pool fixture, and Foote expects a passionate performance from the hosts in Tbilisi.

“Georgia are a very strong set-piece side and physical opponents,” he said. “Having played them a couple of times already this year, we know exactly what they are capable of.

“They are a proud and passionate rugby nation and will be disappointed after that narrow loss to Wales, so we will need to be ready mentally and physically for the challenge they will bring.”

JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Akahluwa Boqwana, 14 Cheswill Jooste, Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Jack Benade, 10 Luan Giliomee, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Luke Cannon, 6 Wasi Vyambwera, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Oliver Reid.
Bench: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 Jaythen Orange, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Jordan Steenkamp, 23 Alzeadon Felix.

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post Junior Boks make big Giliomee call for Georgia appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

The FIFA World Cup knockout stage continues with another mouthwatering double-header tonight as Ivory Coast face Norway, before France take on Sweden in the Round of 32.

There is no second chance from this point onwards. The winners book their place in the Round of 16, while the losers pack their bags and head home. The tournament has already produced major shocks, with Germany among the big names eliminated before reaching this stage.

IVORY COAST AIM TO STOP ERLING HAALAND

The first match kicks off at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Ivory Coast make history by playing their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout match.

The Elephants arrive full of confidence after an impressive group-stage campaign. Teenage winger Yan Diomandé has emerged as one of the tournament’s brightest young stars, while experienced forward Nicolas Pépé adds valuable leadership in attack.

Standing in their way is a dangerous Norway side inspired by Erling Haaland. The prolific striker missed his country’s final group match against France to stay fresh for the knockout rounds. That decision could pay off, with Haaland already scoring four goals in just two appearances.

Ivory Coast will rely on defender Ousmane Diomande to marshal the backline as they try to contain one of world football’s deadliest finishers.

FRANCE FACE DANGEROUS SWEDEN TEST

Later tonight, attention shifts to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where tournament favourites France meet a confident Sweden side.

Coached by Didier Deschamps, Les Bleus cruised through the group stage with a perfect nine points. They have looked among the strongest teams in the competition, with captain Kylian Mbappé once again leading the attack. The superstar forward continues his pursuit of the tournament’s all-time scoring record.

However, France cannot afford to underestimate Sweden. Coach Graham Potter has built a disciplined side capable of hurting any opponent, with strikers Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak forming one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking partnerships.

With places in the Round of 16 on the line, both matches promise drama, quality and the kind of knockout football that has already made the 2026 FIFA World Cup unforgettable.

Le RC Lens a dit au revoir à Arthur Masuaku après six mois en prêt dans le Nord. Le défenseur congolais retourne dans son club de Sunderland.

Actuellement à la Coupe du monde 2026 avec la RD Congo, Arthur Masuaku voit son aventure se terminer au RC Lens après 6 mois passés en prêt. Le défenseur de 32 ans avait retrouvé un club où il avait joué en jeunes entre 2003 et 2008. Avec le RCL, il est devenu vice-champion de France l’an dernier et a remporté la Coupe de France.

Masuaku aura joué six matchs, dont 4 en Ligue 1 et 2 en Coupe de France pour son deuxième passage en Ligue 1 après un premier avec Valenciennes durant la saison 2023-2024. « Revenu au club cet hiver, Arthur Masuaku retourne au Sunderland AFC à l’issue de son prêt. Le club remercie le défenseur, acteur de la qualification en Champions League et du succès en Coupe de France, et lui souhaite le meilleur pour la suite. », a salué le club nordiste dans son message.

The post Ligue 1 : Arthur Masuaku quitte le RC Lens appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

At the start of the Springboks’ first Test week of 2026, there has been an unfortunate injury blow as youngster Riley Norton (utility forward) has been released from the camp after picking up a hamstring injury.

He is likely to be sidelined for the next two months, meaning he probably miss the All Blacks tour as well.

Meanwhile, Ethan Hooker (wing) joined the squad in Johannesburg on Monday after recovering from the shoulder injury that has sidelined him since April.

On Tuesday, loose forward Elrigh Louw was then called up to the national squad for the Nations Championship as additional forward cover.

Louw played the last of his 13 Test matches against Wales in November 2024,

HOW THE SPRINGBOK SQUAD NOW LOOKS

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier (Bulls), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Jaco Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks).

Big battle looming against England

The opening Test of 2026 against England kicks off at 17:40 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport, with Erasmus having selected a strong, settled team.

“England are a quality outfit, and we are expecting them to give everything they have in this match, so it was important to select a squad with experience combined with a few younger players, who have proved that they have what it takes to perform at this level,” said Erasmus.

“The players have worked very hard at training, and they know what it takes to perform against a side of this calibre with a good coaching team, so we hope they can transfer that effort onto the field on Saturday.

“It was great to have a run against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe last week because it afforded some of our players some valuable game time, but this weekend will be a different prospect altogether.

“England are a settled team, they come off a Six Nations campaign earlier in the season, and, similarly to us, they will also want to have a good start to this exciting new competition, so we are expecting it to be a bruising encounter.”

Miscellaneous:

• Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse will both earn their 50th Test caps for South Africa.
• Willemse’s first Test was on 8 August 2018, aged 20, when he came on as a replacement against Argentina at in Durban.
• Kolbe made his Test debut off the bench against Australia in Brisbane on 8 September 2018 and scored the first of his 21 Test tries a week later against New Zealand in Wellington.
• Cobus Reinach requires only five more Test points to reach 100 in the green and gold.
• Eben Etzebeth will extend his Springbok record as the most capped player to 142 caps.
• Damian de Allende will require only two more Test appearances after this weekend to join the exclusive group of players to reach the 100 Test mark.
• Pieter-Steph du Toit requires only four more Test appearances after this match to earn his 100th Test.
• Ox Nche will need only two more Tests to join Willemse and Kolbe on 50 Tests.
• The Springboks have won three of the four matches they have played against England in Johannesburg, dating back to 1972, with their last defeat against the English being at Ellis Park that year.
• This match will mark the first time the Springboks face England since the 2024 Castle Lager Outgoing Tour – a match South Africa won 29-20.
• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 935.
• There are 368 caps in the backline, with 567 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 164 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline is 53, the forwards 71, while the players on the bench average 21.