Steeplechase star shifts gears to Commonwealth Games in chase for mor…

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 8, 2026 – Kenyan steeplechase sensation Edmund Serem has earmarked this year’s Commonwealth Games as his ultimate stop in his quest for glory, this year.

Serem is determined to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Amos, who bagged bronze at the last edition of the competition in Birmingham in 2022. bettingx.club

“I ran a PB in Rabat so I hope to run well again in Paris, and then I will head to Monaco. With no major championships this year, my main aim is to win the Commonwealth Games,” the world bronze medalist for the men’s 3000m steeplechase said.

With Kenya’s fortunes in the water-jump-and-barrier race dwindling by the day, Serem has emerged a glimmer of hope that the country may yet reclaim its longstanding status as a powerhouse in the competition.

His first taste of success came at the 2024 Africa Championships in Douala, Cameroon where he clocked 8:21.94 to win silver.

More success followed at the World Under 20 Championships in Lima, Peru where he ran 8:15.28 to clinch the title, at that level of competition.

His second senior appearance for the country yielded bronze at last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, clocking 8:34.56 to finish third.

Serem’s latest success was a second-place finish at the fifth leg of the Diamond League in Stockholm on Sunday night.

He timed 8:12.27 to take second place in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, a race won by Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali who clocked 8:10.40.

Another Kenyan, Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwot, finished third in 8:12.75.

It was Serem’s second Diamond League competition in 2026 after Rabat, Morocco, where he clocked a personal best (PB) of 8:01.61, although finishing fourth.

Although he was hoping to run faster, the youngster was nonetheless delighted with his podium finish.

“I am pleased with second place, as I really wanted to get on the podium today. I was hoping to run under 8-minutes but the race didn’t work out like that today, plus it was too windy – I just tried my best and I was happy with my strong finish, it’s good Diamond League points ahead of my big goal to do well in the final,” the 18-year-old said.

The youngster’s meteoric rise bode him well on the path to the Club Games in Glasgow in July and would add to his already impressive medal collection.

The post Steeplechase star shifts gears to Commonwealth Games in chase for more medals appeared first on Capital Sports.

Kaizer Chiefs are expected to remain active in the transfer market as they continue rebuilding a squad capable of challenging for trophies on a consistent basis.

While Bradley Cross showed signs of becoming the club’s first-choice left-back, there is still a strong argument for adding further competition in the position.

KAIZER CHIEFS LEFT-BACKS

Paseka Mako and Nkanyiso Shinga both struggled with injuries during the campaign, leaving Amakhosi heavily reliant on Cross for large parts of the season. As a result, the club may look to strengthen the department before the new season begins.

If Amakhosi want a player who combines top-flight experience, international recognition and room for further growth, then Sekhukhune United’s Vuyo Letlapa deserves serious consideration.

Also read – Scouting for Kaizer Chiefs: Left-backs to sign – Part 1

Unlike some of the more established names available in the market, Letlapa’s rise has been remarkably rapid.

Born in Rooiboglagte village in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, the 22-year-old started his football journey at local amateur side Real Rangers FC while attending Lekete Secondary School.

His performances earned him a move to Jomo Cosmos in the ABC Motsepe League, where he quickly established himself as one of the club’s standout young prospects.

That form attracted interest from Sekhukhune United, who offered him the opportunity to make the jump into professional football.

The transition proved seamless. Despite arriving with little top-flight experience, Letlapa quickly cemented his place in the starting lineup. He became one of Babina Noko’s most reliable performers.

BETWAY PREMIERSHIP EXPERIENCE AT A YOUNG AGE

His development did not go unnoticed at national level either.

Just months after establishing himself in the Premiership, Hugo Broos handed the young defender a senior Bafana Bafana call-up as a replacement for Aubrey Modiba ahead of crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.

That achievement underlined just how highly Letlapa is rated within South African football circles.

CONSISTENCY, DURABILITY AND ROOM TO GROW

During the 2025-26 Betway Premiership campaign, Letlapa made 29 league appearances and accumulated 2,371 minutes of action.

He contributed one assist, collected only three yellow cards and recorded an average FotMob rating of 6.97 across the season.

While those attacking numbers may not immediately jump off the page, Letlapa’s greatest strengths lie in his consistency and reliability.

The defender rarely missed matches and regularly delivered solid performances against some of the league’s strongest opposition.

His standout displays included a highly-rated 7.7 performance in a 3-1 victory over Chippa United, while he also produced one of the defining moments of his season in the Nedbank Cup by scoring the winning goal against the University of Pretoria.

His endurance was further highlighted when he completed a demanding 120-minute cup encounter against Milford FC.

At 22 years old, Letlapa remains several years away from his peak. He already possesses Premiership experience, international recognition and a reputation as one of the country’s most promising young defenders.

With reported European interest emerging last season, Amakhosi may need to act sooner rather than later if they wish to bring him to Naturena.

SHOULD KAIZER CHIEFS MAKE THE MOVE?

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Bafana Bafana remain well placed to reach the Round of 32, with three possible qualification routes available from Group A.

The tournament format sees the top two teams in each of the 12 groups qualify automatically for the knockout stages. They are joined by the eight best third-placed teams across all groups.

With matches against Mexico and the Czech Republic still to come, South Africa’s fate remains firmly in their own hands.

TOP-TWO FINISH GUARANTEES PROGRESSION

The simplest route for South Africa is to secure automatic qualification by winning their next two matches.

Victories over Mexico and the Czech Republic would guarantee South Africa a place in the Round of 32 and see them qualify with a game to spare.

Six points from those two fixtures would be enough to ensure Bafana finish in the top two positions in Group A.

Another route is qualification as runners-up.

South Africa could still finish second in the group by collecting between four and six points from their remaining matches. To achieve that, they would need to end the group stage above either South Korea or the Czech Republic in the standings.

A runners-up finish would also secure direct passage to the knockout rounds without relying on results elsewhere.

THIRD PLACE COULD STILL BE ENOUGH FOR BAFANA BAFANA

Even if South Africa finish third in Group A, qualification remains a possibility.

The tournament allows the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups to advance to the Round of 32.

In that scenario, South Africa would need to compare favourably with the third-placed teams from the other groups.

Also read: Top 5: Bafana Bafana’s most-capped players of all time

Points would be the primary factor, while goal difference and goals scored could become decisive if teams are level on points.

That means every result, and potentially every goal, could play a significant role in determining whether Bafana progress.

For now, South Africa know that strong performances against Mexico and the Czech Republic could remove any need for complicated calculations and secure their place in the knockout stages.

WHEN IS MEXICO VS BAFANA BAFANA?

• Date: 11 June 2026
• Kick-off: 21:00 SAST
• Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

Other Group A Fixtures

• 18 June 2026
• Czech Republic vs South Africa
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
• 18:00 SAST

• 25 June 2026
• South Africa vs South Korea
• Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
• 03:00 SAST.

A Saracens player was reportedly involved in a nightclub incident with England cricket captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson.

Stokes and Atkinson are facing a probe by the ECB for breaking team rules in the early hours of Monday morning following England’s win in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported players from Saracens were also present at the venue for the English Premiership club’s end-of-season party.

Saracens subsequently issued a statement confirming one their academy players was involved in an incident in the early hours of Monday.

“We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens,” it said. “The club is currently establishing the full facts and is in contact with the relevant authorities and individuals involved. Once this process is complete, the matter will be reviewed and addressed appropriately.

“We will make no further comment at this time.”

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The incident is the latest controversy concerning the England cricket team following a tour of Australia where the side faced allegations of a drinking culture during a 4-1 Ashes series loss.

– AFP

Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The post Saracens caught up in England cricket controversy appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.