Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 2 February 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: Four capped Junior Springboks, Zachary Porthen, JF van Heerden, Litelihle Bester, and Jurenzo Julius, are amongst a group of 35 players who will attend this year’s SA Rugby Academy Programme in Stellenbosch from Monday. This is to continue preparations for the international season, which includes the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship in Australia, and the World Rugby Under20 Championship in South Africa. Coach Bafana Nhleko says they are pleased with the composition of the group, 21 forwards and 14 backs, adding that the hard work will now start in earnest.

Meanwhile, flyhalf Finn Russell will captain Scotland in tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Kyle Rowe will make his first start in the number 15 jersey in place of the injured Blair Kinghorn. Thirty-four-year-old lock Richie Gray will play in his eleventh championship, while South African-born Kyle Steyn will fill in on the wing. France and defending champion Ireland will kick off the competition in Marseilles tonight, while Italy will welcome England to Rome tomorrow afternoon.

# Cricket: The stage is set for a thrilling encounter at the Adelaide Oval as the Proteas Women take on Australia in the first of three One-Day Internationals tomorrow. The recently concluded T20 series between the two sides was very competitive and ended two-one in the home side’s favour. Proteas captain, Laura Wolvaardt, plays for the Adelaide Strikers in the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia. She says her familiarity with the local conditions will hopefully be a valuable asset for the team:

And more cricket news, M-I Cape Town defeated Pretoria Capitals by 34 runs in a high-scoring SA20 encounter in Centurion. The tournament’s leading run-scorer, Ryan Rickelton, scored 90 off 45 balls and shared a 64-run opening stand with Rassie van der Dussen as M-I Cape Town posted 248 for four. In reply, an unbeaten 116 from Kyle Verreynne, the highest-ever score of the tournament, was not enough for the Pretoria Capitals as they fell short, making 214 for eight at the end of their 20 overs.

# And finally, motorsport: Mercedes has confirmed that seven-time Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton, will leave the team at the end of the season to join Ferrari. He activated a release option in the contract he signed last August. The Briton has raced for the Silver Arrows since the 2013 season and has won six of his seven world titles with the team. Hamilton says deciding to leave was one of the hardest decisions, but the time is right to take on a new challenge. He will join Ferrari on a multi-year deal from next season.

Stay tuned for more news………….