Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 31 January 12:30 pm

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

# First up we have cricket: South Africa’s Under-19 Women defeated Australia by five wickets in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to book their spot in the T20 World Cup final for the first time. Ashleigh van Wyk’s four-wicket haul saw the Proteas restrict Australia to 105 for eight. In reply, Jemma Botha top-scored with 37 off 24 balls as South Africa reached the target with eleven deliveries remaining. The victory sees South Africa maintain their unbeaten status at the tournament. They will face India in Sunday’s final after the Asian team beat England in the other semifinal.

And staying with cricket: Joburg Super Kings have maintained their challenge for a place in the SA20 playoffs with a seven-wicket victory over the table-topping Paarl Royals at the Wanderers. Donovan Ferreira and Lutho Sipamla took three wickets each as Royals were restricted to 150 for nine. In reply, captain Faf du Plessis scored 87 off 55 balls as Super Kings reached the target with seven wickets to spare. Du Plessis says he executed his game plan well, especially in the powerplay:

# Rugby: Sam Prendergast will start at fly-half for reigning champions Ireland when they begin their Six Nations title defence against England in Dublin tomorrow. The 21-year old has been selected for his debut ahead of Jack Crowley, who moves to the bench. Prendergast will partner experienced scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park behind a pack featuring captain Caelan Doris at number 8. Interim coach Simon Easterby has also recalled Ryan Baird to the back row, with Garry Ringrose preferred to Robbie Henshaw at outside centre.

More rugby news: Former Wallaby head coach Michael Cheika will leave Leicester Tigers at the end of the season. He joined the English Premiership club last year, but decided not to extend his contract. After leaving the Wallabies in 2019, Cheika had two stints in Argentina before moving to the Tigers. CEO Andrea Pinchen says the search for a suitable replacement is underway, with rumours doing the rounds former Leicester prop and head coach of Munster, Graham Rowntree, could be a potential successor.

# And finally, soccer: Manchester United defeated FCSB two-nil in Romania to advance directly to the last 16 of the Europa League. Second-half goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo ensured United finished third in the group stage. An injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur beat Elfsborg three-nil, while Rangers saw off Union Saint-Gilloise two-one to progress to the round of 16. United manager, Ruben Amorim, says this win was important, as they have avoided a two-legged play-off round in February:

Stay tuned for more news………….