We asked some of SA’ s top athletes to scroll through their phones and send us the last photo they took. From a much-loved four-legged companion to a quiet pre-match chat, some home DIY, and celebrations after a big win, these snapshots offer a small glimpse into the lives of our sporting stars when they’ re away from the spotlight.
By Mark Etheridge
LIBBIE JANSE VAN RENSBURG
( Flyhalf for the South African women’ s 15-a-side team and also a national sevens player who represented SA at the 2024 Olympics)
“ I’ m busy resting after rupturing my ankle ligaments, so this is my companion – his name is Balto, named after the dog that pulled the sled
DAYAAN CASSIEM
( Captain of the SA men’ s hockey team and 2020 and 2024 Olympian)
“ This last picture on my phone’ s camera roll was before our most recent game, after our team meeting. We normally have a team meeting next to our hockey club and the VRA cricket field in the Netherlands, away from everyone, of diphtheria medicine for the kids in Alaska and there was an animated film made about it. I adopted him during Covid, so I’ m not sure what he is – they told me Alaskan Malamute, but I just tell people he’ s a Swiss Shepherd or else a wolf( the kids love that and he does have some‘ wolfie’ characteristics)… Not sure how old he is, but he’ s ageing very well.
“ I’ ve always adopted dogs throughout my life, I’ m not big on buying, rather adopt. When I adopted him, the shelter told me he was a bit of a livestock thief. That was a little bit concerning as a lot of shelter dogs have a bit of a screw loose and need a bit of rehab, but once I got him home, I couldn’ t believe that because he is the most placid, gentle dog I’ ve ever adopted. He’ s just so super-chilled and fluffy and loves a good cuddle. He’ s not interested in chasing everything even though we sometimes get dassies in our yard. My Jack Russell goes mad, but he shows no interest. I really think I found a rough diamond in Balto – he loves going to Wolwespruit, here in Pretoria, for walks and the local farm market and is so social and is just my absolute bestie.”
TIFFANY KEEP
( 2024 Cape Town Cycle Tour winner and bronze medallist at the 2026 African road cycling championships in Kenya)
and this picture was taken at the cricket field. It’ s myself and the club physiotherapist Tommie, just speaking about how we’ re feeling for the game and also a bit about life in general and how things are going. So it was a very nice chat because it’ s also good to check up on each other and make sure that we’ re all good.”
NONKULULEKO MLABA
SA Proteas cricketer and the first South African woman to record a 10-wicket haul in a Test match)
“ So, the last picture I took on my phone was a project that I’ m doing at home. We’ re busy
renovating my mom’ s place, so I’ ve been really hands-on in terms of the interior design and you know, I’ ve been calling myself Bob the Builder lately! I know it’ s actually quite a stressful project, but I’ m having fun doing it, and I’ m so proud of myself.”
“ So the context behind this photo on my phone’ s camera roll was that last night we had some good celebrations, and the hotel in Kenya where we were staying at actually made us a cake to
celebrate our victory in the women’ s U23 category and the Elites, as well as getting a full-house South African podium for the elite women’ s road race and having a total of five South Africans in the top six, which was really amazing. Needless to say, we celebrated well and that pic was as the cake arrived at the table and all the hotel staff were singing and dancing for us.” www. modernathlete. co. za 19