Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 29 september 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with cricket: Tomorrow’s final one-day match between South Africa and Australia in Potchefstroom will be a dead rubber after the Proteas won the first two matches to clinch their sixth consecutive ODI series victory over the old foe. The hosts first beat the visitors by 67 runs in Durban before a 32-run victory at the Wanderers. The ODIs will be followed by three Tests – the first in South Africa for Australia since the infamous Sandpapergate saga in Cape Town in 2018. The first Test starts in Durban next Friday.

# Rugby: All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named a strong 34-man squad for next month’s twot Bledisloe Cup Tests against the Wallabies. Thirty-one players who were in the original 44-man squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks have been retained, as well as Richie Mo’unga, who joined the squad in South Africa as an injury replacement. Codie Taylor will captain the side, while Scott Barrett returns following a long injury layoff. Shannon Frizell will make his return for the first time since 2023.

# Soccer: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated he is prepared to support substantial increases in funding for the world governing body’s 211 members. This follows a joint request from UEFA and CONCACAF for at least 164-million-rand per association during the 2027 to 2030 cycle from FIFA’s cash reserves. Infantino has faced criticism over his aborted FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have involved selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors. FIFA’s council will consider the funding proposal next month.

# Tennis: World number two Alexander Zverev could face six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the Chinese Open’s quarterfinals. The German, who captured his second major title at the US Open earlier this month, will open his campaign against Britain’s Cameron Norrie. Serbia’s Djokovic, who last played in the tournament in 2015, will face Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the first round. Canadian Auger-Aliassime faces a tough opener against Russian Karen Khachanov. 2023 finalist Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Czech Jakub Mensik anchor the second quarter. 

# And lastly, motorsport: Reigning Formula One world champion Lando Norris has apologised to Franco Colapinto for comments he made after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto caused an accident at the Baku City Circuit on Saturday, taking out his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly and Norris’s McLaren. Speaking after the incident, Norris stated that there are some drivers that shouldn’t be in F1, while also suggesting Colapinto should be banned for one race. Norris admits his comments were wrong. Colapinto has a five-place grid penalty for the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.

Stay tuned for more news………….