The Ginger's Perspective

In an exclusive interview, the undisputed, undefeated, UFC middleweight champion, speaks about his fight against Khamzat Chimaev, why Bo Nickal will come back stronger, how Renier de Ridder is a threat to his crown and when he expects his much-anticipated showdown with the undefeated Chimaev will take place. We chat about how he mentally prepares for each camp and why he believes the UFC will come to South Africa one day, but it may not be a pay-per-view event. Don't miss this exclusive with the man bidding to be the greatest UFC middleweight of all time.

Basketball League Africa is well underway and will soon see Lebesa Selepe's MMB Basketball take to the court to face the best on the African continent. Selepe will lead the South African champions, but his journey to play in the continent's biggest tournament isn't a straight forward one, in fact, it took a while for the veteran combo guard who never thought going pro was an option. Here he is today with thousands of minutes under his belt and while pursuing his dream to win BAL, he is coaching and ensuring the sport is heading in the right direction from schools level to the big leagues.

In this exclusive interview on the Sias du Plessis Show, I chat to the newly appointed South African National women's cricket coach, Mandla Mashimbyi on his mission to end the country's wait for an ICC World Cup Trophy. The pressure to deliver after reaching two consecutive World Cup finals and if he has had to change his approach to coaching women after many years involved in men's teams including stints with the national men's team and South Africa's most success domestic team, the Titans.

Michael Morton only had eyes for one club when he was growing up, yes he loved Liverpool, but he wanted to play for Orlando Pirates. So when he got signed to the academy and eventually made his debut in a Soweto derby, the white kid who dreamt of being a Buccaneer, had finally realised his dream playing for the biggest club in South Africa. Morton has gone on to represent other clubs in a career that spans 15 years and is now a successful content creator with a large following. He shares his journey in football, his experience with "Muti" and why Stuart Baxter is one of his favourite coaches.

Kgothatso "KG" Montjane became the first black South African Grand Slam winner when she won the Wimbledon doubles title, since then she has won the US Open and Roland Garros. KG shares her journey in wheelchair tennis, from not being interested in playing to finding her love for the sport later in life and how she plans to build tennis courts in Limpopo to get more children playing the sport that has given her so much.

Mpumelelo "Phantom Toes" Mhlongo was born with a condition called constrictive ring syndrome and a club foot, he was told he would never amount to anything because of his disability. Well, he thought otherwise. Gold medals, world records and honours bestowed on him by the South African presidency have catapulted the into a global superstar. Not only does the 30-year-old excel on the track, but also in academics where he has completed a doctorate at the University of Cape Town. He is an inspiration to millions and proof that even a disability isn't enough to prevent you from chasing and achieving your dreams.

Former Springbok rugby player and Hell's Angel turned Saint James Dalton appeared on the Sias du Plessis Show. James spoke about his mission to irradicate bullying in schools and make them safer places with security and training. Bullet also shared his journey with the Hell's Angels and how he got out and changed his life. Don't miss it.

Former Proteas left-arm spinner, Paul Harris, is one of South Africa's most underrated cricketers, his contribution to the national team has not got the recognition it deserves despite taking 103 wickets in 37 tests and being an integral part of the team that held the number one ranking in all formats. "Harro" speaks of his journey in cricket, from starting off in Fish Hoek to making his test debut, dismissing Sachin Tendulkar on his debut in 2006, opening up about the highs and lows of his career, deciding to go Kolpak and much more and while he isn't actively involved in cricket these days, he still mentors players like Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj. I hope you enjoy the episode.

Kaylin Swart is an Africa Cup of Nations winner with South Africa and the country's number one goalkeeper. The Banyana Banyana star who won the WAFCON title in 2022 has been a stalwart in the squad since her debut in 2016 and shares her journey from playing on the streets to representing the "Rainbow Nation" at the 2019 and 2023 FIFA World Cups in France and Australia and New Zealand. Swart grew up playing cricket and football with the boys in her community and still has ambitions to play cricket for the South Africa national team in future.

Dalin Oliver is one of the funniest comedians in South Africa. Fresh from his hugely successful world tour, 90 Day Comedian, the sports-mad Oliver shares his journey in comedy, from dingy pubs to some of the biggest stages in the world. The award-winning Oliver is a wonderfully talented stand-up comedian, lekker oke, top-notch ambassador for the Rainbow Nation and someone I thoroughly enjoyed having on the show.

You probably could not top what Danny Costa Gil has been through as stories go. His late mother tried to murder him and his brothers with lethal injections while they were sleeping and attempted to burn the house down. He somehow survived and is now ready to tell his story. Don't miss this fascinating story and discover how Danny, the last man standing and motivational speaker, uses his story to inspire others.

Cindy Poluta is one of South Africa's most loved radio personalities. Never short of an opinion, Cindy is always entertaining with her take on the world and life in general. In this episode, Cindy shares her love for scoring, not that scoring, scoring in cricket... The proud Manchester United fan also explains how she got into radio, the influence radio has had on her life and why Anele and the Club on 947 is the greatest breakfast show of all time. Don't miss it.

Rikus de Beer, also known as "Radioraps" is one of South Africa's funniest comedians and successful entrepreneurs. He owns the Hennie's restaurant chain and claims to be UFC Middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis's best mate. Rikus shares his journey from creating voice notes as his alter ego "Jonathan" from the East Rand, dealing with steroids and the disappointment of not making it as a rugby player, to selling out venues with his hilarious comedy. Don't miss his inspiring story.

Arguably one of the greatest midfielders in the history of South African football, Benedict "Tso" Vilakazi, who dazzled and bamboozled many opponents, ultimately left the game without reaching the heights his talents deserved. This is his story and one you shouldn't miss.

Benson Mhlongo joins me on the latest episode of the Sias du Plessis Show, the former Bafana Bafana, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars defender speaks about his struggles after retirement, how he defied doctors who said he'd never walk again, why he sees himself in football management and gives his prediction on why this is his former club's (Pirates, not Sundowns) best chance to win the Betway Premiership. Powered by Betway. #LisegaziniForever

Mqondisi "MQ" Ngubane is one of South Africa's most successful film directors, a king of the television and film industry, he has directed the wildly successful Shaka Ilembe, eHostela and uBettina Wethu. Mqondisi speaks of his journey in TV and film, what it takes to be successful and why he is excited to be in such a vibrant space unearthing talent in South Africa. "MQ" also says how international movies are being filmed in KwaZulu-Natal and why the province is such a draw card to the film industry.

Ryk Neethling is known for his exploits in the pool, world records, world titles and that famous Olympic gold in 2004, but these days the man originally from Bloemfontein via the University of Arizona, who has graced many magazine covers is determined to make a success of his love for horses and in particular the sport of polo. The former Olympian also speaks frankly about South Africa's swimming talent and why the talent depth is so shallow.

The dynamic duo of legendary trainer and promoter Colin Nathan and South Africa's only current world boxing champion, two-time IBF light-flyweight, Sivenathi Nontshinga, join me in the studio for an exclusive look at their recipe for success. The pair share their journey to the world title, how they processed winning the belt for the first time and then dealing with the heartache of the defeat, before reclaiming what was theirs and how they plan to unify the division and become one of the greatest of all time. Don't miss this honest and inspiring insight into the world of professional boxing.

Legendary broadcaster Rian van Heerden joins me in the studio for a fascinating episode in which he shares his journey in radio and television, how the COVID-19 pandemic led to him buying a restaurant and how a dodgy road trip ended up becoming the inspiration for the script of his upcoming Afrikaans slasher movie. (Coming later this year!) The former Jacaranda FM breakfast show host and Kyknet television star also discusses how storytelling gets him out of bed in the morning and why South Africa is one of the most interesting places in the world.

An exclusive with UFC Middleweight superstar Israel Adesanya on returning to the sport after his hiatus, his approach to competing again and his much-anticipated title fight against South Africa's Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in Perth in August.

Highly successful entrepreneur, broadcaster and publisher, Dirk Steenekamp shares his journey to being a maverick in the publishing industry, and why he believes you should chase your dreams in business. The former Extreme Fighting Championship commentator and editor of Fighters Only Magazine and Maxim Magazine (to mention a few) speaks his mind about being successful, driving fast cars and why he is looking for opportunities to grow in business, including taking South Africa's most popular snack, biltong, to new markets all over the world.

Meet the incredible or crazy, Mark "Muddy" Ferreira, depending on your opinion. A man who goes above and beyond the call of duty to inspire and create awareness for the Chaeli Campaign, he decided a while back to do the 7-in-7 Challenge, running 6 consecutive ultramarathons before finishing the Comrades marathon, all while pushing Chaeli Mycroft in her buggy for every step of the journey. This 90km ultramarathon draws thousands of people each year and is a true test of the body and mind. A truly inspirational story from a truly inspirational man.

Dwaine Pretorius is one of the most underrated cricketers ever to play for South Africa, the allrounder, who retired from international cricket in 2023, is still plying his trade in the T20 leagues all over the world. Pretorius predicts that this is South Africa's best chance to end their long and painful wait for the World Cup title and believes that the Proteas go into the tournament brimming with confidence. Pretorius shares his journey from Rustenburg to the Proteas and what former South Africa head coach Mark Boucher told him that changed his career and perspective on cricket.

The Ultimate Fight Championship's middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, joins me on the show to talk about his upcoming title defence (against Israel Adesanya), his quest to become a two-division champion in the UFC, what it would take to bring the UFC to South Africa, why he is inspired by Conor McGregor and why he believes he has what it takes to be the greatest UFC athlete of all time.

Akani Simbine and Werner Prinsloo have been a duo since the young sprinter answered an advert in a local newspaper to join an athletics club, well, the rest as they say is history. The formidable pair have been inseparable and produced the goods year-on-year. Simbine and the 2022 South African coach of the year were in the studio to talk about the Olympic Games in Paris, the infamous disqualification at the World Championships and why Simbine is in the form of his life.

The talented former South African netball player, Vanes-Mari du Toit shares her journey in the sport, how she transitioned into a successful television career and speaks about her daring world-record attempt later this year where she will take a very cold plunge... The bubbly Vanes-Mari also opens up on various other things including watching her first-ever Soweto derby, the pressure to constantly be at her best, Dancing with the Stars and her love for coaching the next generation of netball players. Don't miss this fascinating interview.

Hekkie "The Hexecutioner" Budler is one of South Africa's most successful boxing world champions, boasting a professional record of 35 - 5 with 11 KOs, the 35-year-old double-weight division WBA and IBO world champion is regarded as a legend of the sport. Budler has fought in Mexico, Japan, the USA, Canada and the Philipines, he has decided to call time on his illustrious career and focus on his young family and on coaching the next generation of boxers. The talented pugilist speaks about his career, his views on Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson and how tough it was to accept retirement from the sport he loved so much.

Richie Quan is a pioneer in South African combat sports. Head coach at the Quan Wessels Academy in Johannesburg, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt has led the way in Mixed Martial Arts for over two decades, coaching athletes in the UFC, One Championship, PFL and EFC promotions. Quan is also a certified field medic and firearms instructor and teaches self-defence in his spare time. The husband and father is dedicated to the kaizen theory and seeks continuous improvement in everything he does, he shares his philosophy in this episode and why improving by 1% is key to achieving your goals in life.

Former South African test captain, Dean Elgar brings his "baggie green" cap into the studio and shares his cricket journey from the sleepy town of Welkom to playing at the biggest stadiums in the world. The 86-test veteran also clarifies what happened with him and Virat Kohli and why he chose cricket over squash.

Daniel Bennett is a legend in African football. The former FIFA, CAF and Premier Soccer League referee boasts over 750 professional games in his stellar career and continues to do work for football leagues and associations all over the world. The proud father-of-two opens up about his career, dealing with stars like Didier Drogba and David Beckham, the abuse he received, how he was approached with a $350 0000 bribe and how he turned to alcohol when he got injured at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

African combined Sport climbing champion Lauren Mukheiber joins me in the studio to talk about her expectations ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris, and the pressure to represent in a sport that captured the world's imagination as it made its debut in Tokyo. A marine biologist by trade, the talented climber is eager to make a name for herself at the global event in Paris later this year.

Bafana Bafana legend and former South African goalkeeper, Andre Arendse joins me in the studio to chat about winning Africa's biggest football prize, his move to Fulham and why he chose to come back to South Africa to play for Clive Barker's Santos at a time when he was linked with Harry Redknapp's West Ham. The man who made 67 appearances for his country speaks about his special relationship with Nelson Mandela and says he would be up for coaching the national team one day.

Gift Walker is one of the most exciting MMA talents on the African continent, the 22-year-old, who is 5-0 as a professional, has a fascinating story, abandoned as a baby, Walker was adopted by a white family and fell in love with the sport of MMA. Walker was crowned EFC Flyweight champion in 2023 and now has his sights set on the UFC.

Kerim Fitz-Gerald is a South African Motocross legend, a 10-time National champion and the 2023 National Cross Country champion, Kerim has competed all over the world including Canada and captaining South Africa at the World Cup of Motocross. His next adventure is taking on the 2024 Dakar, a daunting challenge for the rookie who isn't going to the world's toughest race to make up the numbers.

Former Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth joins me on the show as we discuss his career in Russia, how he nearly signed for West Ham and what it was like facing Brazil in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and being part of the squad that saw South Africa host the first FIFA World Cup on African soil. He now works as a pundit for SuperSport and is the driving force behind Legends football in South Africa.

The legendary rugby journalist Brenden "Baksteen" Nel joins me in the studio to discuss the year that has been in rugby, the sensational Springboks winning their 4th Rugby World Cup title, what the next move is for Rassie Erasmus after Jacques Nienaber's departure. We chat about his brand new book, Derick Hougaard, the drama that followed arguably one of South Africa's most talented rugby players, and his fall from grace.

The legendary Mandy Wiener is one of South Africa's most credible journalists, the current host of the Midday Report on 702 and Cape Talk and has published numerous best-selling books. For the past two decades, Mandy has worked as a multi-award-winning reporter specialising in investigative journalism and legal matters including the Oscar Pistorius case. Mandy is an avid sports fan and loves Tottenham Hotspur. Don't forget to like and subscribe. Thanks for watching.

Henk Lategan will miss the 2024 Dakar due to injury, but the 27-year-old knows that it is only because his body needs time to heal after a crash that saw him dislocate his shoulder backwards! The talented Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa driver has competed in previous editions of the Dakar and aims to win the famous desert race in the future in the DKR GR Toyota Hilux +1. The multiple South African Rally-Raid champion has been racing since he was a kid and has even had a taste of the WRC! Don't miss this episode as we delve deep into what it takes to race Dakar.

Brian Mitchell is South Africa's only boxer inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. The 14-time world champion lost only once in 49 professional fights and shares his story, growing up in a rough neighbourhood in Johannesburg, he always wanted to box, eventually shooting to stardom. Mitchell was presented with the Ring belt 36 years after winning the coveted title in December 2022.

Caster Semenya is the greatest 800m and 1500m South Africa has ever produced, the "Golden Girl of Athletics" has unfortunately been subjected to gender testing, forced to take testosterone-lowering medication that made her feel sick, excluded from her favourite events due to controversial DSD regulations, she tells all in her book, "The Race to be Myself" and doesn't shy away from any of the never-heard-before details. A must read!

Janine van Wyk will become Africa's most capped footballer when she plays in the South African national team's two qualifiers for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, the Banyana stalwart will bring the curtain down on a stellar 20-year career that saw her play at the country's first World Cup, win a WAFCON and feature in an Olympic Games. van Wyk shares her incredible journey from playing with the boys at school to qualifying for the 2018 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Kagiso Rabada is arguably one of the greatest fast bowlers South Africa has ever produced. The 28-year-old has played 60 tests, 92 ODIs and 56 T20s, he has become a key player in the South Africa national team and the other franchise teams he plays for including MI Cape Town in the Betway SA20. Rabada is also intent on giving back and speaks about his fast bowling academy and desire to win the 2023 Cricket World Cup. A top bloke with top, top pace... Cricket fans enjoy.

Kirby Gordon is the Chief Marketing Officer for one of the most successful low-cost airlines in the world, Fly Safair. Gordon shares his story, the upward trajectory of the airline and why the travel industry is such an exciting space after the COVID pandemic. A must listen.

Demarte Pena is a legend of South African and African Mixed Martial Arts, the reigning Ares bantamweight champion has had to fight his way to the top after a controversial 4-year suspension that saw him cleared before WADA sanctioned him. The founder of the Wolf Academy gym is determined to fight in the UFC and continue his legacy as a proud Angolan athlete.

Victor Matfield was arguably one of the best locks in world rugby, the former Springbok captain and World Cup winner, capped 127 times, shares his views on the upcoming Rugby World Cup, what he thinks makes the Springboks special and why he chose rugby as a career. We're grateful he did! Don't miss this episode rugby fans.

Mark Hulme is one of Africa's most exciting mixed martial arts athletes, the Extreme Fighting Championship welterweight champion recently embarked on a journey of self-discovery walking from Johannesburg to Cape Town where he believes he found a new energy and passion for life, the UFC-bound Hulme has fought in Russia previously and accompanied his teammates Dricus du Plessis and Cameron Saaiman to UFC290 where he was invited to train at one of the US's top gyms, he shares his remarkable story on the latest episode of the SdP Show.

Junior Dala is a South African cricketer who has represented the "rainbow nation" on several occasions and is a stalwart for the Titans cricket union in Centurion, the talented all-rounder joins us to share his journey to the Proteas and why he was born in Zambia, how his father was exiled and why Ian Healy changed his life forever.

South African boxer Roarke Knapp is the current ABU and IBO Junior Middleweight Champion and has his sights set on fighting for more gold straps in future, a barber by trade, the talented pugilist opens up about his path to success and why boxing is such an incredible sport.

DJ Fresh is an award-winning radio legend, DJ and music producer, the larger-than-life music icon speaks about his love of music and radio, while also expressing his desire to help uplift people and make a difference in their lives either through music or his YouTube show.

Robyn Johnson is a South African hockey star, both in field and indoor hockey, the Olympian, who manages to balance a full-time job and her hockey career, is determined to make the rainbow nation proud at the Olympics in Paris next year.