Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 12 June 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# We kick off with soccer: Government has commended Bafana Bafana for their spirited performance against Mexico in their opening match of the World Cup. South Africa suffered a 2-0 defeat to the tournament co-hosts and finished the game with nine men following red cards for Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane. Deputy government spokesperson, William Baloyi, says while the final score was not what the nation had hoped for, the team represented the country with a sense of pride on the world’s biggest stage:

# Rugby: Bulls flyhalf Handré Pollard says the team’s character and resilience will be their greatest asset as they chase a first United Rugby Championship title against Leinster in Dublin next Friday. The Bulls will contest a fourth final in five seasons of the competition, while Leinster are chasing back-to-back URC titles. Pollard believes this final will be decided by whichever side handles its emotions best. He adds that the team has worked hard to get to the final, and he hopes they won’t let the occasion get to them.

# Cricket: England and Wales Cricket Board managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, says they are considering imposing a complete ban on alcohol while players are on international duty. This comes as England captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson are under investigation following an incident in a nightclub in Chelsea on Monday morning. The two have been dropped for next week’s second Test against New Zealand. Key says he won’t make a rash decision on Stokes’ future as captain:

# Tennis: Former world number one Serena Williams will now concentrate on next week’s Berlin Open in Germany after her participation in the Queens Club event in London was cut short. The 44-year-old American and her partner, Victoria Mboko, were forced to withdraw from the doubles quarterfinal after the Canadian was injured during a singles match. They earlier beat Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and American Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the round of 16. Williams is reportedly hoping for a wild card to participate in Wimbledon.

# And lastly motorsport: Mercedes’ George Russell says he is hoping that his misfortunes in the past few races will change at this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. He scored no points in Canada due to a technical problem and the same in Monaco due to a late drive-through penalty. The Briton arrives in Barcelona 68 points behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the drivers’ championship standings. Russell says he is hoping for a normal race:

Stay tuned for more news………….