Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 4 July 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with Rugby: The Junior Springboks are set for a blockbuster showdown with defending champions England in a vital Pool A clash at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Rovigo, Italy, this evening. Fresh off a commanding 73-17 win over Australia, the Junior Boks aim to build momentum. Coach Kevin Foote praised England’s pedigree and expects a thrilling battle. He expressed confidence in his squad, stating that they are well prepared to execute the tough battle ahead:

More Rugby news, the South African Rugby Union, SuperSport, and the SABC announced an agreement between the two media houses for the SABC to broadcast the upcoming second test between South Africa and Italy. The agreement has been reached in recognition of the historic nature of the match, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the Springboks’ 1995 Rugby World Cup victory. It forms part of the celebrations by SARU to commemorate this historic moment for the country. The match on 12 July will be broadcast live on SABC 2, SABC Radio stations, and on SuperSport.

And the British and Irish Lions’ coach, Andy Farrell, has defended his decision to call up his son, Owen to Australia after Elliot Daly broke his arm against the Reds. The coach says the flyhalf is the right choice because of his playing ability and his experience of three previous Lions tours. The former English captain has played the last of his 112 Tests in 2023 and just completed an injury-ravaged season in France. He joins the squad in Sydney today before tomorrow’s match against the Waratahs.

# Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz will step up his bid for a third successive Wimbledon title when he faces German underdog Jan-Lennard Struff later today. And Britain’s Emma Raducanu will be aiming to add world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka to the growing list of eliminated favourites. Alcaraz knows he must fine-tune his serve to keep his Wimbledon title defence on course, and he hopes to fare better in the third round. Raducanu believes she can add Sabalenka to the growing list of Wimbledon upsets after defeating former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova on Wednesday.

# And finally, Motorsport: George Russell believes he will remain with Mercedes in 2026, despite Mercedes possibly pursuing Max Verstappen. Russell earlier claimed his own contract negotiations are being held up by Mercedes’ interest in Verstappen, the four-time defending Formula 1 champion for Red Bull. Russell told the English media ahead of the British Grand Prix, the chances are “exceptionally low” that he isn’t driving for Mercedes next year. Russell is currently fourth in the driver championship race. The 27-year-old came up through Mercedes’ junior program in 2017 and has driven for their F1 team full-time since 2022.

Stay tuned for more news………….