Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 11 November 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: Springbok lock Lood de Jager is facing a disciplinary panel today following his controversial permanent red card against France last weekend. He was sent off after his shoulder made contact with French fullback Thomas Ramos’ head just before half-time, but the Boks still went on to record a comprehensive 32-17 victory. Some pundits say it should’ve been a 20-minute red because Ramos went down just before De Jager hit him, while referee Angus Gardner was eventually convinced by his assistants to give him his marching orders.

Meanwhile, versatile Springbok André Esterhuizen says they will use the knowledge from this year’s two Tests against Italy when the two countries meet again in Turin on Saturday. The Boks won both home Tests against the Azzurri in July. Esterhuizen was in brilliant form against France last weekend when he had to alternate between centre and flanker after De Jager’s red card. He says Italy is an unpredictable team, referring to their victory over the Wallabies on Saturday, and they expect a tough battle.

# Cricket: Renowned commentator Kass Naidoo believes South Africa needs a women’s league to build on the success of the Proteas Women’s participating in the one-day World Cup in India. They only succumbed to the hostesses in the final after impressing almost throughout the tournament. Naidoo is particularly proud of South Africa’s emphatic victory over England in the semifinal. She says most of India’s women play in the Women’s Premier League and South Africa needs a similar competition for the country’s women to bring home the silverware.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he is targeting a convincing victory over Zambia as he aims to improve their FIFA ranking. Saturday’s international friendly match in Gqeberha is part of South Africa’s preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which begins next month. Bafana Bafana is in Group B with record seven-time winners Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Broos says his players need to have the same focus and mentality they had in the World Cup qualifiers:

# And tennis: Italian second seed Jannik Sinner began his ATP Finals title defence with a victory in Turin. The 24-year-old defeated Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 6-1, keeping alive his chances of pipping Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz for the year-end world number one ranking. American Taylor Fritz beat late qualifier Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, who is making his debut at the event. Sinner says it’s always special to play in front of his home crowd:

Stay tuned for more news………….