SuperSport, Africa's leading sports broadcaster, has launched an inspiring new storytelling project called SuperSport Stories.
This compelling series, which officially launched in April on DStv CatchUp and will captivate audiences through to October, takes viewers beyond the field, court, and ring, offering an intimate look into the lives and journeys of some of South Africa's most beloved athletes.
SuperSport Stories promises to reveal the profound human side of these extraordinary individuals, sharing the meaningful narratives that have shaped their careers and personal lives.
Far from just highlighting their athletic prowess, the series will explore what truly drives them, showcasing their resilience, triumphs, and the challenges they've overcome.
These are the tales of human beings who embody what it takes to inspire, uplift, and shape the national spirit. The inaugural line-up is nothing short of stellar: kicking off with the inspiring journeys of speedster Akani Simbine - the world's most in-form 100m men's sprinter - and champion boxer Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena.
SA speedster Akani Simbine shares all in his episode of SuperSport Stories. Available on DStv CatchUp.
Simbine bares all, revealing how he walked away from his dream of becoming a soccer player to pursue athletics.
"The whole dream was to be in the Betway Premiership, and then get to the English Premier League, and then Champions League; that was the dream," Simbine reveals.
"But it got overtaken by athletics. It's crazy because becoming a professional soccer player was my dream. I wanted to be a soccer player."
He shares how a conversation with his parents led him to quit soccer the very next day, take up athletics, and soon after, sign a contract that kickstarted his incredible career.
SA's WBC Champion Kevin Lerena reveals what it takes to get to the top. Check it out on SuperSport Stories on DStv CatchUp.
Lerena, on the other hand, detailed how he wasn't familiar with the exploits of our local boxers until he grew into the sport.
"When I started boxing, I never really looked within the borders. I must be honest. I didn't know much. I was always about the big stars, the Evander Holyfields, the big international stars," he says.
"But as I started growing in the sport, I realised how many South African pioneers paved the way for fighters like me."
"Dingaan 'The Rose' Thobela, Thulani 'Sugarboy' Malinga, Vuyani 'The Beast' Bungu, Corrie Sanders as a heavyweight. All those guys fought the biggest names in the world."
"And obviously I sit here today as the only current WBC World Champion, but before me, it was Dingaan and Thulani who paved the way for me, as the only other two WBC champions from SA.
"When I turned professional I didn't even know that but as I grew in the sport and learnt and learnt the business side of boxing, I realised SA has got great fighters that don't get the recognition they deserve, and it's up to me to take South Africa to the rest of the world and to let those legends know that they are respected and that they paved the way for fighters like me."
THE WBC CHAMPION ALSO REVEALS HIS OWN POWERFUL SELF-MOTIVATION.
"I am my own hype man, and I believe in myself, and that’s why I work so hard and I have gotten this far. No one is a bigger motivator to me than the man looking into the mirror. This is what I do. This is how I feed my children. This is the new start of me every single time, and for me, it’s about defending the WBC Green and Gold.”
BUT THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.
This exhilarating new content portal - found here - will also feature more captivating narratives from netball, men's and women's hockey, and athletics.
As the football season concludes, we're set to unveil exclusive stories behind the first-ever Betway Premiership trophy, Banyana's WAFCON quest, the thrilling climax of the European Rugby season, and the dawn of the 2025 International Rugby season.
Plus, viewers can look forward to intimate conversations with Springboks sensation Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu on being a role model, powerhouse Ox Nche, Proteas spin wizard Keshav Maharaj, Banyana Banyana's formidable goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, revered Springbok scrum coach Daan Human, and former Banyana Banyana icon Portia Modise.
You'll also get a fascinating peek into Rassie Erasmus's surprising new passion for netball, and SA women’s hockey player Quanita Bobbs sharing insights into the women's hockey team's powerful Gwijo songs at the Paris Olympics.
For the next six months, SuperSport will bring these powerful stories directly to your screens via DStv CatchUp, reinforcing the belief that sport is indeed the most powerful storytelling engine in the world.
Get ready to dive into the heart of South African sport and experience the raw, human stories that define our heroes, brought to you by SuperSport, Your World of Champions.