Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 15 October 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: SA Rugby’s proposed 1.3-billion-rand private equity deal with US-based Ackerley Sports Group is reportedly facing strong opposition. The deal involves Saru selling a 20-percent stake in its commercial arm to ASG. According to News24, seven out of Saru’s 14 member unions have signed a letter opposing the deal and are pushing for a postponement of Thursday’s vote. They are also calling for an alternative proposal to be presented in three months. For the ASG deal to go through, 75-percent of the unions would need to back the plan.

More rugby news: Bulls’ director of rugby, Jake White, says they will try and have centre David Kriel’s red card in the weekend’s United Rugby Championship match against Ospreys in Swansea rescinded. The Pretoria team won 29-19 despite Springbok flanker Elrigh Louw being yellow-carded, leaving them with 13 players in the last ten minutes. Kriel’s hand-off was initially regarded as being fine by referee Eoghan Cross, but the crowd’s reaction led to a replay and a red card. White praised his players for nevertheless grinding out the victory.

# Cricket: The Proteas Women’s fate lies in the hands of England who takes on the Windies in a Group B match in the T20 World Cup today. England and South Africa are currently in the two qualifying places for the semifinals with the Windies third, but victory for the islanders could knock South Africa out due to their better net run rate. If England wins, they and the Proteas will go through. Bangladesh and Scotland have already been eliminated from the group.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana takes on Congo in the second leg of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Brazzaville today, and South African coach Hugo Broos is concerned about the state of the synthetic pitch. Bafana demolished Congo 5-nil in Friday’s first leg in Gqeberha and only needs another three points to qualify for next year’s tournament in Morocco. Victory today will secure their place in the event. Broos says they’ve already had bad experiences with synthetic pitches that are not in a good state.

# And finally, road running: The organisers of this weekend’s Cape Town Marathon say this year’s race promises to be one of the most thrilling in the event’s history. A record-breaking 21-thousand runners will participate. Last year’s winners, Tsige Haileslase and Adane Kebede Gebre, both from Ethiopia, will return to defend their titles. Race director Barry van Blerk says the race is set to showcase the best marathon elite field ever assembled on African soil.

Stay tuned for more news………….