Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 25 September 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made nine changes and one positional switch for their title-deciding Rugby Championship encounter against Argentina in Mbombela. Siya Kolisi will resume as captain as one of six double World Cup winners recalled to the starting lineup. Manie Libbok and Jaden Hendrikse are paired as starting halfbacks for the first time. Eben Etzebeth will become the most capped Springbok of all time. Erasmus says he is happy to have some fresh players back in the team:

More rugby news: The Stormers have departed for a three-match United Rugby Championship tour, which will see them visit Wales, Italy and Scotland. The 29-man squad includes Ruhan Nel and Damian Willemse, who are returning from injury. Willemse is one of four Springboks selected for the trip, along with Warrick Gelant, André-Hugo Venter and Joseph Dweba. New signing Dave Ewers and Louw Nel are both in line to make their competitive debuts for the team. The Stormers kick off their URC campaign against Welsh outfit Ospreys on Saturday.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has unveiled a preliminary 32-man squad for their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo next month. Notable inclusions are captain Ronwen Williams, who makes a return from a shoulder injury, Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Bradley Cross from Kaizer Chiefs. South Africa is level on four points with Uganda, who have a better goal difference, in group K. Broos is expected to trim down the squad to 23 players by next week.

# Motorsport: Red Bull’s head of race strategy, Will Courtenay, will leave the Formula One team to join McLaren as sporting director. His decision follows the exits of chief technical official Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley over the past five months. Courtenay has been with Red Bull for 20 years. McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, says he will be a great addition to the strong leadership team, as they strive to continue challenging for wins and championships.

# And, tennis: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus wants to cap off a stellar year by returning to the top of the world rankings. The number two is the top seed at the China Open this week following the withdrawal of world number one and defending champion, Iga Swiatek of Poland, because of undisclosed personal matters. Fresh from winning the US Open, Sabalenka can take a large step towards overhauling Swiatek with victory in Beijing. She will play for the first time since beating Jessica Pegula in New York.

Stay tuned for more news………….