Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 8 January 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with Rugby: Sharks loosehead prop Ox Nché says they are well aware of the physicality French side Toulouse will pose in their Champions Cup group match in Durban on Saturday. Six-time champions Toulouse have made an impressive start to their title defence, winning against Ulster and Exeter. Meanwhile, the Sharks defeated Exeter 39-21 but were thumped 56-17 by Leicester Tigers. Nché says they are expecting a tough encounter, with the scrum set to take centre stage, as a new law amendment that gives scrum halves more protection will be enforced.

# Tennis: Jessica Pegula dropped just five games to romp past Maria Sakkari at the Adelaide International in a delayed start to her season days before the Australian Open. The top seed and US Open finalist, who had a bye in the first round, overwhelmed the Greek former world number three, 6-4, 6-1. Second-seeded fellow American Emma Navarro, ranked eight in the world, came through a tougher assignment needing two hours to battle past Ekaterina Alexandrova, 7-6, 6-4.

# Cricket: England Test captain Ben Stokes has undergone another hamstring surgery and will be out of action for at least three months. The 33-year-old tore his left hamstring during England’s final Test in New Zealand in December last year. After tearing the same hamstring playing in The Hundred last August, he missed four consecutive Test matches, three at home to Sri Lanka and one in Pakistan. This latest surgery means Stokes won’t play in the ICC Champions Trophy next month.

# Soccer: Newcastle took control of their Carabao Cup semifinal with a convincing two-nil first-leg win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon secured the visitor’s first win away to Arsenal since November 2010. Newcastle will need to avoid defeat or lose by a one-goal margin, in the second leg at St James’ Park on the fifth of next month to book a place in the final. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says the tie is still very finely balanced:

# And finally, Motorsport: Cape Town Grand Prix SA is preparing a bid to host a Formula-one street race in 2027. The proposed 5.7-kilometre circuit in Green Point would showcase the DHL Stadium and Cape Town’s iconic landmarks. Cape Town faces competition from Johannesburg’s Kyalami Circuit, which is set to upgrade its facilities to reach F-I-A Grade 1 accreditation. CEO Igshaan Amlay expressed optimism about the Cape Town bid, stating significant economic benefits, boosting tourism and local spending. F1 last held a race in South Africa at the Kyalami circuit in 1993.

Stay tuned for more news………….