Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 11 September 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has made a host of changes for the finale of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against South Africa in Baltimore tomorrow. Richie Mo’unga will make his first Test appearance since 2023, starting at flyhalf. Anton Lienert-Brown and Ethan Blackadder replace the injured Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson, while Peter Lakai shifts from blindside flanker to take Ardie Savea’s spot at number eight. Hooker Codie Taylor will lead the team. Rennie has opted for a split of five forwards and three backs on the bench.

Meanwhile, there is reportedly huge interest in tomorrow’s Test, but all 71-thousand tickets will apparently not be sold. The very first match between the old foes on American soil also comes with a hefty price, with the cheapest tickets selling for the equivalent of one-thousand-800-rand for the upper tier, and between three- and seven-thousand for the lower bowl. VIP hospitality seats sell for over 28-thousand-rand. Kick-off is tomorrow night just after 11, South African time.

# Soccer: France’s governing body, the FFF, has withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid next year. He was heavily criticised over his aborted plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. European body UEFA, Asia’s AFC and North American governing body CONCACAF have called for Infantino to step down, but he retains the backing of South America’s CONMEBOL and African governing body CAF. FFF president Philippe Diallo has called for a fundamental reform of FIFA’s governance.

# Tennis: For the first time in 13 years, the US Open women’s singles final on Saturday will be contested by the top two seeds, as incoming world number one Elena Rybakina faces two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Kazakhstani Rybakina upset home favourite Coco Gauff to reach the final for the first time. Belarusian Sabalenka, who is one victory away from her third straight title at Flushing Meadows, defeated Jessica Pegula. Sabalenka is expecting a tough battle:

# And athletics: Prize money of over 160-million-rand is on offer in World Athletics’ inaugural Ultimate Championship, starting in Budapest, Hungary, today. About 380 athletes, including six from South Africa, will participate. The world record holder in the men’s pole vault, Swedish-American Mondo Duplantis, headlines the event which doesn’t have a quota for countries, with inclusion solely based on performance. World Athletics’ president, Sebatian Coe, says the event was created to ensure every season culminates in a major global championship.

Stay tuned for more news………….