Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 4 April 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: The Blitzboks and the other eleven teams can expect a packed Hong Kong stadium this weekend for the Chinese territory’s world series tournament. World Rugby says all 120-thousand tickets for the three-day event have been sold. South Africa plays its group matches against Ireland, Samoa and Spain. The Blitzboks, with former sevens captain Philip Snyman their new head coach, hope to improve from their seventh place on the log. They won the season opener in Dubai, but disappointed in the next four tournaments.

# Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s side defeated South Africa by four wickets in the third and final T20 International in East London, to win the series two-one. This is their first series triumph over the Proteas in any format. Player of the Series Laura Wolvaardt scored 56 as the hostesses posted 155 for six in their 20 overs. In reply, captain Chamari Athapathtu top-scored with 73 as the visitors achieved their highest successful run chase of all time in T20, finishing on 156 for six.

# Tennis: Two-time champion Simona Halep has received a wildcard for the Madrid Open set to begin on the 22nd of this month. Last month, the Romanian played in the Miami Open in her first match since her four-year anti-doping rule violation was reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sports. Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, Kei Nishikori of Japan, and Spain’s Martín Landaluce have also been awarded wildcards for the clay court tournament.

More tennis news: Eleven-time champion Rafael Nadal’s name is on the list for the Monte Carlo Masters, but rumours persist a fresh injury might keep the Spaniard out of the tournament. He hasn’t played competitively since the Brisbane Open in January and was forced to withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters last month. The Monte Carlo tournament ushers in the clay court season which culminates in the French Open, starting in Paris on the 20th of next month, where Nadal holds the record of 14 titles.

# And finally, motorsport: German driver Sebastian Vettel is touted as a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Formula One team Mercedes. The Briton announced earlier this year he will join Ferrari next season, and Mercedes hasn’t yet appointed another driver. Thirty-six-year-old Vettel retired after the 2022 season after winning four consecutive titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, and also racing for Ferrari and Aston Martin. He reportedly hinted at returning after recent talks with Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff.

Stay tuned for more news………….