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The Union Bordeaux-Bègles second row, Cyril Cazeaux has been suspended for one week following the decision of an independent Judicial Officer arising from the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final match between Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Munster Rugby at Stade Chaban Delmas on Saturday, 12 April. Cazeaux was sent off by the referee, Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), in the …
Life will come full circle for Rhodri Williams when he steps out at the Principality Stadium this weekend. Back in March 2013, he played in the very first Judgement Day, lining up for the Scarlets against the Dragons. On Saturday, he will be there again – in the same fixture – for the tenth edition …
Rachel McLachlan is poised to earn her 50th cap for Scotland when the team takes on England in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations on Saturday 19 April. Head Coach Bryan Easson has made two changes to the starting XV that featured in last weekend’s match against Italy. Following an impressive first start against Italy, Becky …
Scotland international back-row Ben Muncaster will return to the capital starting XV for tomorrow night’s BKT URC match against Hollywoodbets Sharks at Hive Stadium (18 April, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports. The versatile back-row featured from the bench in last week’s European Quarter-Final win against Vodacom Bulls and will start at openside flanker …
The four South African Vodacom United Rugby Championship franchises will all enter the home straight of the cross-hemisphere showpiece with the same mindset – victory at any cost – as the Race to the Eight takes centre stage. The announcement in the coming weeks of the various winners in the Vodacom URC Awards for 2024/25 …
Long-serving captain Nolusindiso Booi will become the first player to reach 50 Test caps for the Springbok Women when South Africa face Spain at Campo de Rugby Amorós Palao in Elche on Saturday. Booi, already South Africa’s most capped women’s player, will reach this significant and historic milestone 15 years after her debut against Kazakhstan …
APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and leading press release distribution service, is pleased to announce that its Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), has been appointed to the newly formed Advisory Board of the Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG).
With its mission being to position Africa as a leader in critical minerals, CMAG (www.CMAGAfrica.com) is dedicated to advancing responsible sourcing and sustainable development of Africa's critical mineral resources, while ensuring that local economies benefit from the continent's mineral wealth. With approximately 40% of the world's essential minerals reserves estimated to be held in Sub-Saharan Africa alone, the region plays a key role in the global energy transition and advanced technologies.
Pompigne-Mognard's appointment to the Advisory Board follows the announcement of a strategic partnership between APO Group and CMAG aimed at raising the global prominence of Africa's critical minerals sector. The partnership leverages APO Group's public relations and strategic communications expertise and CMAG's industry leadership. Complementing this, Pompigne-Mognard's ability to connect clients with key stakeholders from governments, private companies, and organisations of all sizes will be invaluable in showcasing Africa's role in the global essential resources supply chain and elevating the profile of Africa's critical minerals sector.
Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the CMAG Advisory Board. His vast network across industries, governments, and institutions, his deep understanding of Africa's media and technology landscapes, and his extensive business experience will equip him to work alongside fellow Advisory Board members to shape positive perceptions of Africa's critical minerals sector amongst global stakeholders and audiences.
A Franco-Gabonese entrepreneur named among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2023 and 2024, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard serves on multiple high-profile advisory boards and international committees. These include the Senior Advisory Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and the Leadership Council of the Africa Tech Festival, as well as the Advisory Boards of the African Energy Chamber, World Football Summit, Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa, Sports Africa Investment Summit, EurAfrican Forum, and All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). He is also a strategic advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal African Society of the United Kingdom, a strategic advisor to the EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce, and a special advisor to the President of Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa.
Nicolas' wholly-owned company, APO Group, is the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. It serves more than 300 clients, including global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, UNDP, Network International, the African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa's Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
“Being appointed to the Critical Minerals Africa Group Advisory Board is an immense honour. CMAG is vital in safeguarding Africa's critical minerals for future generations. In my advisory role, I look forward to supporting all initiatives as CMAG showcases Africa's critical minerals potential in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group.
Other members of the Advisory Board include Natznet Tesfay, Executive Director, Head of Insights and Analytics, S&P Global, and Richard Morgan, Former Head of Government Relations, Anglo-American PLC.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.
Media contact:
marie@apo-opa.com
About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.
Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including the PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy of the Year South Africa in 2024 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024.
APO Group's esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa's Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.
There is no denying the fact that the Springbok Women have established themselves as a formidable set piece team with good success in converting their dominance in those areas into points, which is why there are no reasons why they should move away from that area of excellence when they play Spain in Elche on …
Two contractors later, the stadium is far from complete
Having safely arrived in Alicante, Spain from France on Sunday, the Springbok Women had a very productive first training session on Monday and according to Performance Coach, Swys de Bruin, “Operation Spain” is now officially underway. De Bruyn was happy with the energy and clarity at the team’s first hit-out for the weekend’s Test, to …
The Toyota Cheetahs, Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and Valke were the biggest beneficiaries over the weekend following impressive victories in the sixth round of the SA Cup to ensure they remain in the race to qualify for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division. The two unbeaten front runners, Suzuki Griquas and the Airlink Pumas, secured comfortable …
Krakow played host to an action packed finale of the HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 that entertained fans at Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium. Although Germany were leading the men’s competition coming into the concluding round of the tournament, Portugal were able to overcome them in the semi-finals to set themselves up for a place in the …
Springbok Women’s Sevens captain Mathrin Simmers heaped praised on her team after they closed out the last of three World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournaments, in Krakow, Poland, with their first victory in the trio of events. Simmers said the 21-12 victory over Argentina in the final and a very impressive 22-10 win over Kenya …
The Springbok Women outmuscled an England age-group side 50-17 (half-time 24-10) in Marcoussis on Saturday, with a powerful scrum performance providing the foundation for a satisfactory win and end to their first week of touring France and Spain. The Bok Women scored eight tries in total, with Jakkie Cilliers (wing) grabbing a brace and adding …
The Vodacom Bulls crashed out of the EPCR Challenge Cup but never stopped fighting on Saturday as they went down 34-28 against Edinburgh, eventually settling for a heart-breaking six-point defeat at the Hive Stadium in the Scottish capital. The defeat for the men from Pretoria, who were the last remaining South African team in the …
There are a number of objectives for the Springbok Women to reach when they face an England age-group team at Marcoussis in France on Saturday, but for Eloise Webb the most important job on the day would be to stick with structures and implement a good week of learning into the game. Webb will lead …
Head coach Bryan Easson has made two changes to his starting line-up as Scotland prepare to host Italy at Hive Stadium in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations this Sunday 13 April, kick-off 3pm – live across BBC iPlayer. Becky Boyd, fresh from a Scotland debut against France in the previous round, earns a first start …
SA Rugby has entered into a ground-breaking new partnership with global leader in fabric care, OMO, as part of a contract renewal with Unilever. The well-known household brand becomes the first in its category to join the Springboks and all national teams as part of OMO’s campaign to champion resilience, perseverance, and the belief that …
There won’t be a South African team in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals but there will be two of South Africa’s brightest coaching minds on display in Dublin on Friday night when Leinster Rugby hosts Glasgow’s Warriors as they compete to continue their Road to Cardiff 25. Franco Smith, a former Springbok flyhalf and centre, …
Edinburgh Rugby is delighted to announce Scotland international stand-off Ross Thompson has signed a two-year contract extension with the club, committing his future to the capital side. The 25-year-old Edinburgh-born playmaker has made a significant impact in his debut season at the club, featuring in 20 matches, including 16 starts, since his summer move from …
Edinburgh Rugby is delighted to announce 23-year-old stand-off Cammy Scott has signed a two-year contract extension, committing his future to the capital club. Edinburgh-born Scott, a product of the club’s academy, has made significant strides this season, featuring across several ‘A’ team and senior fixtures. So far this season, Scott has gained valuable minutes off …
Edinburgh Rugby is pleased to confirm Scotland international stand-off Ben Healy has signed a one-year contract extension. Healy, 25, joined Edinburgh Rugby from Munster ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and made an immediate impact, starting in all 23 fixtures during his debut season, amassing 218 points. He has featured in 14 games this season and …
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has made three changes to his starting XV for tomorrow night’s Investec Champions Cup Quarter Final against Leinster, as his side look to reach the last four of Europe’s elite competition for the first time. All three of the alterations come in the pack, as the Warriors look to …
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) today unveiled additional detail underpinning its five-year, ‘One Wales’ strategy, and confirmed planned changes to its structure and ways of working which will significantly contribute to its success. In order to run the historic sporting governing body in a manner befitting of a £100m-a-year business, the WRU has launched a …