Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 28 February 12:30 pm

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

# First up, we have rugby: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus succeeding in bringing Felix Jones back as assistant coach is described as a major coup. Erasmus announced yesterday the two-time World Cup winner will rejoin the team this weekend. The Irishman worked with the Boks from 2019 and left for England in 2023, where his stint was described as filled with turmoil. Jones now has intimate knowledge of the English set-up, which will be invaluable for the Boks in future. Erasmus describes him as a vital cog for Bok success.

More rugby news: Sharks coach John Plumtree has welcomed back Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who replaces Grant Williams. Williams moves to the bench for tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship match against the Lions in Johannesburg. In the other two changes to the starting team, injured prop Trevor Nyakane is replaced by Ruan Dreyer while Deon Slabbert comes in for Corné Rahl at lock, with Vincent Tshituka continuing his role as captain. Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi and Eduan Keyter are back and will start on the bench.

# Sailing: The 35th annual Mykonos offshore regatta between Cape Town and Langebaan on the West Coast started today with a record-breaking 92 entries, marking the largest keelboat fleet in its history. The two-day event is hosted by the Royal Cape Yacht Club. The event attracts top sailors from South Africa and abroad. Defending champion Jackal returns to defend its title, while an all-female development team, Angel Wings, prepares for the Cape-to-Rio race. The race promises thrilling competition, challenging conditions, and world-class offshore sailing action.

# Cricket: Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, says no-one will write his team off again. The country stunned England in their Champions Trophy match on Wednesday, winning by eight runs to eliminate the English from the tournament. Ibrahim Zadran anchored Afghanistan’s innings of 325 for seven with his brilliant 177 off just 146 balls. Trott says this performance, and their good showing in the previous two World Cups, mean there is no chance Australia will take them lighty in today’s encounter, especially with semifinal qualification on the line. Afghanistan is batting first.

# And finally, tennis: World number one Jannik Sinner’s nomination for the Laureus sportsman of the year award has been withdrawn after he received a three-month doping ban. The three-time Grand Slam champion, who had two positive drug tests last year, will be out of action until May, having reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. Laureus World Sports Academy chairperson, Sean Fitzpatrick, says while they note the extenuating circumstances involved in this case, they feel that the ban renders Sinner’s nomination ineligible.

Stay tuned for more news………….