Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 10 November 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says most of the players for Friday’s Nations Championship clash with France in Paris have played them at home in the past, and know what to expect. Sixteen were part of the 32-17 victory a year ago, while ten helped South Africa beat them in the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal. Erasmus says the players knew he wouldn’t rotate too much, but rather select a settled squad to build momentum:

Meanwhile, Erasmus has admitted French captain Antoine Dupont’s unpredictability presents difficult challenges on Friday. He believes the scrumhalf’s ability to play on instinct makes him particularly difficult to contain, even suggesting his own teammates might not always know what he is going to do next. France demonstrated its attacking potential in their 54-17 victory over Fiji last weekend in Lyon, scoring eight tries.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana are back in camp ahead of the back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya this month. Coach Pitso Mosimane had his first training session yesterday evening without US-based Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Lyle Foster and Puso Dithejane, and the European-based Relebohile Mofokeng and Sphephelo Sithole, who will join the squad today. South Africa will host the Harambee Stars in Johannesburg on Friday. Mosimane has warned his players against underestimating Kenya under coach Benni McCarthy:

# Cricket: Australia won’t reopen the investigation into the infamous sandpaper scandal in South Africa in 2018 despite former batter Usman Khawaja’s explosive revelations in his memoir. He said the whole touring squad knew of the plan to rough the ball with sandpaper, although only captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and bowler Cameron Bancroft were punished. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg doesn’t see any compelling reason for a new probe, saying there was nothing to gain from it. Warner backs Khawaja’s claims as 100-percent accurate.

And in more cricket news, Scotland gives concerns over Afghanistan’s treatment of women and girls under the Taliban regime for the decision not to play the country outside events of the International Cricket Council. Women’s sports have virtually disappeared since the organisation returned to power three years ago, and they also have very limited access to education and employment opportunities. Reuters reports Cricket Scotland’s stance aligns with Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decisions to suspend bilateral ties with Afghanistan.

Stay tuned for more news………….