Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 3 September 12:30 pm

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

# We begin with rugby matters: Airlink has withdrawn its application for approval for a flyover ahead of the third Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks in Johannesburg on Saturday. This comes as the South African Civil Aviation Authority is investigating this past weekend’s flypast over Cape Town Stadium ahead of the second Test, following criticism of how low the two aircraft flew. The authority says it initiated compliance verifications, engaged Airlink and obtained the flight data recording downloads. It says it has now begun the analysis process.

Meanwhile, Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar will play for the Bulls until 2030, extending his stay in Pretoria after joining in 2017. He played over 100 matches for the union’s different teams, and ten Tests for South Africa since his debut in 2024. The Bulls say in a statement 30-year-old Grobbelaar is a cornerstone of the forward pack and the extension of his contract reinforces their strategy of retaining world-class talent and core leadership. It says he embodies everything the Bulls stand for.

# Cricket: The International Cricket Council has confirmed India will host the first-ever edition of the Women’s Champions Trophy in February. Sri Lanka was stripped of hosting because of government interference in its cricket board. The six-team T20 tournament will consist of South Africa, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta says the tournament will be a showcase of the best of women’s cricket:

# Tennis: World number three Carlos Alcaraz took another step toward his third US Open singles title by defeating Portuguese Jaime Faria to advance to the third round. The Spaniard just returned from a four-month injury layoff. Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe also won their second-round matches. In the women’s draw, top-seeded Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka eased past Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko to reach the third round. Reigning Wimbledon champion, Czech Linda Noskova, defeated Lanlana Tararudee of Thailand.

And Chinese lucky loser Bu Yunchaokete sent rising star Rafael Jodar packing in the first round. Bu, ranked 124th in the world, beat the 12th-seeded Spaniard in straight sets in one of the biggest upsets of the Grand Slam tournament so far. Bu lost in the final qualifying round, but advanced to the main draw after Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia withdrew through injury. He will next face local player Michael Zheng, who beat Hungarian Fábián Marozsán in the first round.

Stay tuned for more news………….