Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 8 September 12:30 pm

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

# First up is rugby: SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has praised South African supporters for creating an atmosphere for the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, which showcased the country to visitors from around the world. The Springboks are 2-1 up in the series against the All Blacks heading into Saturday’s final match in Baltimore in the US. Alexander says the economic impact of this series will benefit communities across the country, contributing to livelihoods. He adds SA Rugby has listened carefully to recommendations on how it can improve future events.

Meanwhile, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is expecting a massive backlash from the All Blacks on Saturday. He made two changes to the starting line-up – Damian Willemse replaces injured Cheslin Kolbe at fullback, and scrumhalf Morné van den Berg replaces Cobus Reinach, who drops to the bench. Erasmus believes the Boks must build on their attacking intent, with victory required to seal a 3-1 series triumph:

# Soccer: SAFA presidential candidate Sandile Zungu has given the association until Thursday to pay Bafana Bafana players and the technical team their World Cup bonuses. SAFA has attributed the delay in the payment of around 2.5-million-rand to each player to outstanding international tax compliance requirements in the US and Mexico, where South Africa played tournament matches. Zungu has warned those responsible will be fired if he is elected on Saturday:

# Cricket: Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee will get the chance to represent South Africa for the first time in three years in this month’s three one-day home matches against Australia. He was included in the squad of 16 players for the series, starting in Durban on the 24th. The second match will be played at the Wanders three days later, and the final one in Potchefstroom on the 30th. Coetzee last played an ODI match for the Proteas during the 2023 World Cup in India.

# And tennis: Kazakhi second-seed Elena Rybakina is one victory away from becoming world number one after reaching the US Open quarterfinals for the first time. She defeated two-time champion Naomi Osaka of Japan and will face Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen, who knocked out Poland’s Iga Swiatek. 2023 champion Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Iva Jovic in straight sets. She will next face Russia’s Mirra Andreeva, who beat Austria’s Anastasia Potapova to reach the last eight in New York for the first time in her career.

Stay tuned for more news………….