Sport News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 18th July  12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: Residents of Bloemfontein and visitors to the Free State capital for Saturday’s Test between the Springboks and Portugal will be treated to the sight of the World Cup today. Five members of the triumphant Bok team will visit the Loch Logan Mall from 1pm. They are local heroes Ox Nché and Cobus Reinach, and Lukhanyo Am, Grant Williams and Trevor Nyakane. SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says it’s great to take the trophy to Bloemfontein before the Boks face Portugal at a sold-out Free State Stadium.

# And now over to the Olympics: The Springbok Sevens team gives themselves a fighting chance to secure a medal in Paris. The Blitzboks qualified at the last moment after no-one still gave them a chance. They left for the French capital yesterday. Former captain Siviwe Soyizwapi says they have worked incredibly hard to put themselves back into the race for a medal. The Blitzboks face the All Blacks, Ireland and Japan in Pool A in the tournament, starting at the Stade de France on Wednesday.

# Cricket: England captain Ben Stokes says he backs Chris Woakes to take on the role of leading the bowling unit. The 35-year-old won his 50th Test cap when the second Test against West Indies started at Trent Bridge today. This will be the first home Test since 2012 not to feature at least James Anderson or Stuart Broad, who have both retired. Stokes says Woakes will lead the attack and share the new ball with Gus Atkinson:

# Soccer: Real Madrid captain Luka Modric has signed a new one-year deal to keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu for the upcoming season. The 38-year-old Croatian midfielder extended his contract until 30 June next year. Modric has won six Champions League titles, four La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey titles with Real Madrid. He has only started 37 times across the last two league seasons, but remains a key player for coach Carlo Ancelotti.

# And finally, cycling: Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz won stage 17 of the Tour de France to complete a Grand Tour hat-trick after previous stage wins at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana. The Education-EasyPost rider finished 37 seconds ahead of Britain’s Simon Yates, to become the first man from his country to win a stage at the Tour. Overall race leader Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia finished 27th but extended his advantage over two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark by two seconds.