Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 13 March 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus plans to expand the national group’s skill base. He completed the Boks’ first alignment camp of the year in Cape Town during which the players participated in gym and boardroom sessions. Erasmus says the purpose of the camps are to get everyone on the same page about what the year looks like, to set goals and inform the players of what is expected of them. He is delighted at how the players gelled and learned from one another.

More rugby news: Marcus Smith has been included at full-back for England’s Six Nations finale against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. The Harlequins playmaker started the championship at fly-half but was on the bench for last weekend’s 47-24 win over Italy at Twickenham. Smith came on to score a try from full-back, where he started in one-point wins over both France and Scotland. Elliot Daly moves to left wing and Tom Roebuck gets his first Test start as right winger. Tommy Freeman, on the wing against Italy, moves to outside centre.

# Cricket: The Dolphins have booked their place in the One Day Cup final when they beat the Titans by 65 runs in the qualifier in Durban. An 86-run stand between Hanu Viljoen and Eathan Bosch helped the Dolphins post 228 for eight in their 50 overs. Andile Phehlukwayo took four wickets. In reply, Keshav Maharaj and Tristan Luus were the stars of the Dolphins’ attack, taking three wickets each as the Titans were bowled out for 163. The Dolphins will face Boland in Sunday’s final in Paarl.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan hopes to visit Ireland for a multi-format series next year after the Irish had to cancel this year’s tour due to financial reasons. Ireland was scheduled to host Afghanistan for a one-off Test, three one-day internationals and three T20s in August. Cricket Ireland’s CEO, Warren Deutrom, says the decision is part of the management of short-term budgetary constraints. Afghanistan says the two countries are exploring suitable options for the rescheduling of the tour and hope to find a mutually convenient window.

# And finally, tennis: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is through to the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Masters for the fourth consecutive year. The Spaniard eased past Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov to set up a clash with Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, who beat Australia’s Alex de Minaur. Alcaraz is aiming to win the tournament for the third time. Twenty-two-year-old American Ben Shelton defeated countryman Brandon Nakashima to become the youngest local quarterfinalist in 21 years. Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and Britain’s Jack Draper are also through to the last eight.

Stay tuned for more news………….