Rogail Joseph discovered her love for athletics in the streets of Rodewal in Worcester, and has always believed that she could achieve anything. Now, as a South African 400 m hurdler and Olympic semi-finalist, it is her dedication and self-confidence that have paved her way to the world’s biggest sporting stage.

She became a running sensation at the age of 16, competing in the 2016 400 m hurdles U/16 Championships in Germiston and the 200 metres heat at the National Secondary Schools Championships in Bloemfontein. From there, her success on the track took off.

Sport is an integral part of South African culture and young athletes work hard to reach the pinnacle of their sport disciplines. Unfortunately, their emotional wellbeing can be severely impacted by the pressures of high-level competitive sports, especially at school level.

The North-West University’s (NWU) Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) is shedding light on the psychological demands placed on children in sport and the importance of balancing performance with healthy development.

When the NWU Eagles team from the NWU Soccer Institute arrived in Mthatha for the 2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs, the mission was clear. Four matches stood between the North West champions and a place in professional football.

On Saturday afternoon, that mission became reality.

The NWU defeated KwaZulu-Natal champions Mkhambathi FC 2-1 in a tense semi-final to secure promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship and book a place in the national final.

The NWU Eagles from the NWU Soccer Institute secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs after defeating Gauteng champions La Masia 3–2 in a decisive Group A encounter in Mthatha on Wednesday.

The victory saw the NWU finish level on four points with Mpumalanga champions Luthuli Brigades, but the Eagles progressed to the knockout stage at the top of the group on goal difference.

The North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute opened its ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs campaign with a goalless draw against Mpumalanga champions Luthuli Brigades at Mthatha Stadium in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, leaving coach Nkululeko Malgas confident that his side remains on course for promotion.