Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 31 July 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with swimming: South Africa’s Pieter Coetzé is through to the 200-metres backstroke semifinals at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Fresh from winning a gold medal in the 100-metre backstroke, the 21-year-old qualified with a time of one-minute-57.11-seconds. Kaylene Corbett powered into the women’s 200-metres breaststroke semifinals with a time of two-minute-25.1-second, third-fastest in heat three. Becky Meder and Erin Gallagher failed to advance in the 200-metres breaststroke and 100-metres freestyle, respectively.

# Cricket: South Africa takes on Australia in the only semifinal of the World Championship of Legends at Edgbaston in England today. The South Africans are captained by former Proteas star player AB de Villiers, who was in brilliant form so far in the tournament, contributing consecutive centuries in the group stage. They ended second on the log behind Pakistan, with Australia third and India fourth. Today’s winner will play Pakistan in Saturday’s final after India boycotted their semifinal over the geopolitical tension between the neighbouring countries.

# Rugby: British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has made two changes to his starting lineup for Saturday’s third and final Test against Australia in Sydney. Blair Kinghorn replaces James Lowe on the left wing, while lock James Ryan comes in for Ollie Chessum, who moves to the bench that has a six-two split between forwards and backs. The Lions secured the series with a dramatic last-gasp 29-26 victory in Melbourne last week, but Farrell’s side is determined to finish with a 3-0 series whitewash.

Meanwhile, Australia’s star loose-forward Rob Valetini has been ruled out of Saturday’s Test due to a recurrence of his calf injury. He has been replaced by Tom Hooper. Taniela Tupou will make his long-awaited return for the Wallabies in place of the injured Allan Alaalatoa in the front row. Scrumhalf Nic White also comes into the side, replacing Jake Gordon, while Dylan Pietsch starts on the left wing in place of the injured Harry Potter.

# And finally: The World Athletics Council has approved new regulations regarding eligibility conditions for competing in the female category in world ranking competitions. Athletes who wish to compete in the female category from September will be required to undergo a one-time test for the SRY gene, which is a reliable indicator of biological sex. The new regulations will be applied for the first time at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe says they are committed to protecting and promoting the integrity of women’s sport.

Stay tuned for more news………….