Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 24 January 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: A late try by Ronald Brown saved the Blitzboks from a disastrous start to the Perth Sevens. The South Africans beat the United States 24-19 after trailing 17-19 until the final minute. The Blitzboks started well with early tries from Ricardo Duarttee and Quewin Nortjé, but Impi Visser’s yellow card midway through the first half was a turning point. Will Chevalier scored twice to give the Americans a 14-12 lead at the break. The Blitzboks’ face hosts Australia later today and Argentina tomorrow morning.

Fifteen-man rugby: The Sharks welcome back a few players to balance those lost to injury as they prepare for tomorrow’s clash with Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship. Two of South Africa’s most exciting talents form a midfield partnership with Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo Julius as the starting inside and outside centres. Vincent Tshituka is back in action and captains the team. Siya Kolisi is on a mandatory Springbok rest period. There are also welcome returns for Bok wing Makazole Mapimpi and national teammate Jordan Hendrikse, who starts at fullback.

# Cricket: Paarl Royals cemented their position at the top of the SA20 table after they defeated Durban’s Super Giants by five wickets at Kingsmead in Durban. Quinton de Kock scored 43, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took two wickets as the Super Giants were restricted to 142 for seven. In reply, Rubin Hermann scored 44 and Mitchell van Buuren 41 as they helped the Royals reach the target with 15 balls to spare. Royals captain David Miller says he is pleased with their overall performance:

# Tennis: World number two Alexander Zverev is through to his first Australian Open final after ten-time champion Novak Djokovic was forced to retire due to injury in their semifinal clash. The German, who is seeking his maiden Grand Slam title, won the first set 7-6 when the Serb could not overcome the upper-leg injury he sustained in the quarterfinals. Zverev, who will face either Italy’s Jannik Sinner or American Ben Shelton, says he has learnt a lot from his two Grand Slam final losses:

In the women’s game, 19th-seeded American Madison Keys will try and prevent world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus from clinching her fourth Grand Slam title in tomorrow’s final. Sabalenka looked ominously good when she dismantled 11th-seeded Spaniard Paula Badosa in the first semifinal in Melbourne yesterday. Keys, on the other hand, had a huge battle before she was able to defeat world number two, Iga Swiatek of Poland, in the second semifinal at Rod Laver Arena.

Stay tuned for more news………….