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Mixed Fortunes For SA Stars: Henning Reaches Rise Centurion Open Final After Montsi Heartbreak
CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA — South African tennis fans have every reason to cheer this Sunday as local favourite Philip Henning takes to the court for the championship match at the 2026 Rise Centurion Open. Following a spectacular performance in the semifinals, the 25-year-old has a golden opportunity to lift an ATP Challenger trophy on home soil today. toffler.lol
A Spectacular Upset in the Semifinals
Henning, currently ranked 319th in the world, delivered a masterclass on Saturday against the tournament’s number-one seed, France’s Harold Mayot (ATP: 214). In a match that lasted just under an hour and a half, Henning dominated from the baseline and showcased incredible composure, dispatching the top seed in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.
Mayot simply had no answers for Henning’s aggressive returning and tactical serving, allowing the South African to dictate the pace of the match from the very first game.
Montsi Bows Out in Marathon Semifinal Battle
In the second semifinal of the day, South African wildcard Khololwam Montsi engaged in a massive battle against Bulgaria’s Alexander Donski. Montsi came out firing, taking the first set to the delight of the local crowd. However, Donski, battle-tested from the qualifying draw, clawed his way back into the match.
In a gruelling physical encounter lasting 2 hours and 16 minutes, Donski ultimately outlasted the South African, securing his place in the final with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. While a heartbreaking loss for Montsi, his run to the semifinals showcased the high calibre of local talent stepping up to challenge international competitors.
The Final Showdown: Henning vs. Donski
Today’s final promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an exceptional week of tennis at the Centurion Challenger II. Henning will now face off against Donski, who has strung together an impressive series of victories since the qualifiers, proving his physical endurance and mental grit in the South African altitude.
What to Watch For: Henning will rely heavily on the energy of the home crowd and his powerful forehand to keep Donski moving. Donski, on the other hand, will need to recover quickly from his punishing three-set semifinal marathon against Montsi in order to silence the local supporters.
About the Rise Centurion Open
The 2026 Centurion Challenger II, officially known as the Rise Centurion Open for sponsorship reasons, is a vital stop on the 2026 ATP Challenger Tour. Played on outdoor hardcourts between June 1 and June 7, the tournament represents a crucial opportunity for players to secure ATP points and break into the upper echelons of the men’s tour.
Hosting ATP Challenger events is a monumental boost for the local sports scene. It allows South African professionals to measure themselves against international standards right in their own backyard, without the added physical and financial burdens of global travel.
All eyes now turn to Centre Court to see if Philip Henning can secure the ultimate hometown victory and etch his name into the Rise Centurion Open history books.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
The post Mixed Fortunes For SA Stars: Henning Reaches Rise Centurion Open Final After Montsi Heartbreak appeared first on South Africa Sports News and Blog Site | South Africa Sport.
Golden handshake for Gor as Ruto blesses Premier League champions with more millions
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 7, 2026 – Gor Mahia’s financial windfall in the aftermath of their 22nd FKF Premier League title continues, following a Ksh 10 million reward from President William Ruto.
While on a visit to State House on Sunday afternoon, K’Ogalo were awarded the bounty, a personal donation from the President to aid their preparations for next season’s Caf Champions League campaign.
Gor clinched the league crown after amassing 69 points over 35 games, ahead of arch-rivals AFC Leopards who could only manage five less.
While receiving the FKF Premier League trophy at State House, Ruto congratulated Charles Akonnor’s men for another great feat in their storied history that consists of various firsts.
Furthermore, each of the players as well as members of the technical bench will walk away with Ksh 100,000 as a reward for the outstanding contribution to K’Ogalo’s cause.
More to follow…
The post Golden handshake for Gor as Ruto blesses Premier League champions with more millions appeared first on Capital Sports.
WATCH: Stormers tunnel scuffle, questionable referee calls
The Stormers’ URC campaign came to an end on Saturday as they slipped to defeat against Leinster, and on the balance of play, there can be very few arguments.
However, referee Hollie Davidson and her officiating team faced some understandable scrutiny following the match after some critical 50/50 decisions that went the home side’s way.
The Stormers will be left to lament their own errors and ill-discipline, though, which saw Leolin Zas sin-binned for a deliberate knock down, while Ruan Ackermann received a red card for a dangerous clean out. There was also a yellow card shown to Salmaan Moerat, but this was the most heavily disputed call of the match.
Immediately following the Ackermann incident, Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park sniped through to score the match-securing try, and Davidson then yellow-carded Stormers lock Salmaan Moerat for “cynical play” in the build-up.
Replays appeared to show Moerat simply raising his leg while prone on the ground after a tackle, leaving many pundits baffled as to what else he could have physically done.
Many social media users were in uproar as the Stormers ultimately saw any hopes of a comeback fade away.
There was also another unsavoury incident at half-time when several players were involved in a scuffle as the two teams walked down the stadium tunnel.
The incident set a hostile, niggly tone for the remainder of the match.
YOU CAN WATCH THE STORMERS INCIDENTS BELOW
Going for the player's eyes! Eerily similar to Eben. Hopefully McCarthy gets cited and a lengthy ban like Eben did! https://t.co/ZtGOKjUcsg pic.twitter.com/WQFUJsiWtm
— Captain Springbok (@CaptSpringbok) June 6, 2026
No excuses from coach John Dobson
Stormers boss John Dobson said the yellow card dished out to Moerat was a “little confusing”, but added that it all came about because of the pressure exerted by the home side in a 20-11 victory.
“I told the guys at half-time we won’t win this game if we don’t stay 15 men on the field, but some of those things (yellow cards), they were putting us under pressure,” he said.
“Foul play is foul play. When (Leolin]) Zas does that (attempts an intercept and is penalised for a deliberate knock-on) we are under pressure there. When Salmaan is not rolling away, we are under pressure there.”
Equipe de France : Didier Deschamps annonce la titularisation d’Ousmane Dembélé face à l’Irlande du Nord
Le Ballon d’Or Ousmane Dembélé, récemment sacré champion d’Europe avec le PSG, sera aligné demain soir avec les Bleus contre l’Irlande du Nord pour le dernier match de préparation au Mondial 2026.
Non entré en jeu, jeudi dernier, au Stade de la Beaujoire avec l’équipe de France contre la Côte d’Ivoire (2-1), l’attaquant du PSG Ousmane Dembélé fera partie du onze de départ des Bleus demain soir contre l’Irlande du Nord.
Le sélectionneur Didier Deschamps a annoncé, ce dimanche à Téléfoot, que le champion de France et d’Europe serait dès le début sur le terrain du Stade Pierre-Mauroy. « Si Dembélé sera titulaire ? Oui, comme d’autres joueurs. Ousmane fait partie des joueurs, comme Désiré (Doué), qui n’ont pas joué après la finale. Je considère qu’il était important de récupérer » a indiqué le sélectionneur national au micro de l’émission de TF1.
The post Equipe de France : Didier Deschamps annonce la titularisation d’Ousmane Dembélé face à l’Irlande du Nord appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.
Too little, too late? Shujaa finally win at World 7s Championships Series, face nervy wait on Division 1 qualification
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 7, 2026 – The national men’s rugby 7s team notched their first win at the ultimate leg of the World Championships Series, decimating Uruguay 26-7 in their 11th place playoff tie in Bordeaux on Sunday afternoon.
Needing to win at all costs, Shujaa drew first blood after five minutes via Vincent Onyala’s try, David Nyagige converting for a 7-0 lead.
However, with the referee, Nick Hogan, readying to blow for halftime, the Uruguayans levelled matters courtesy of Francisco Landauer, who also converted for the extras for a 7-7 deadlock.
Following head coach Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua’s pep talk at the interval, Shujaa came purring on all fronts.
John Okoth restored their lead in the ninth minute before Nyagige went over the white chalk a minute later to extend the advantage.
With Nyagige’s successful conversion to boot, Shujaa were well on course to saving face to what has been a dreadful campaign thus far.
Kabras Sugar’s Brian Tanga then put the result beyond doubt with the fourth try at the death, Jackson Siketi adding the extras for a comprehensive victory.
Having played their final game of the series, Shujaa will now be closely watching the fifth-place playoff final between Fiji and the United States on Sunday evening.
Victory for the Americans could condemn Kenya back to Division 2 of the World Rugby Series whereas a loss would put them back into the thick of things.
The post Too little, too late? Shujaa finally win at World 7s Championships Series, face nervy wait on Division 1 qualification appeared first on Capital Sports.