Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 22 July 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: The Lions’ Currie Cup squad had been strengthened by the return of eight Junior Springboks from the Junior World Championship in Georgia. Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi says this, together with the strong performances by several young players in the opening loss against the Cheetahs, will make the Lions a threat for the rest of the tournament and the future. He says the Junior Boks will probably get rested for the next match against the Pumas after successfully defending their title in Tbilisi, but will join the squad soon.

More rugby news: Springbok legend Victor Matfield insists the rejuvenated All Blacks will be tested by the Springboks’ aggressive defence in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series next month. Under new coach Dave Rennie, New Zealand has scored at least five tries in each of their three Nations Championship victories over France, Italy and Ireland. Matfield says the Bok team is at such a level that it’s very difficult for anyone to put them under pressure. He adds facing the world champions will be the ultimate test for the All Blacks.

# Motorsport: Former MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo hopes to reignite his career with the announcement he would leave Yamaha after eight seasons and join Honda. The 27-year-old won the title in 2021, becoming the first Frenchman ever to be crowned world champion. He ended second the next year, but struggled from then on. He signed a two-year contract with Honda from next season and will race for the factory Honda HRC team on a 850cc bike. Quartararo is currently 14th in the riders’ standings.

# Tennis: Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner lead the US Open women’s and men’s singles main-draw entry list. Joining Sabalenka are Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff and Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva. Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz, who has missed the last two majors because of a wrist injury, is on the entry list, which also includes four-time champion Novak Djokovic and French Open champion Alexander Zverev. The initial field includes 17 former Grand Slam singles champions.

# And golf: The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Asian Tour have announced a new multi-year partnership that will run through at least 2029. Taking immediate effect, the PGA and DP World Tours, through their existing strategic alliance, will partner with the Asian Tour to provide commercial and playing opportunities. There will also be pathways for the leading golfers in Asia to allow them playing rights from next year’s DP World Tour season. The Asian Tour had previously been in a partnership with LIV Golf.

Stay tuned for more news………….