Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 11 February 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with mixed martial arts: South Africa’s UFC middleweight world champion, Dricus du Plessis, took home a cool 61.5-million-rand when he defeated Sean Strickland in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. Du Plessis convincingly beat the American in their rematch after taking the belt from him the first time in January last year. The three judges scored the fight 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46 in Du Plessis’ favour. Strickland will be able to smile despite his broken nose though, as his prize money is 19.9-million-rand.

# Cricket: A place in Friday’s final of the tri-nations tournament in Pakistan is on offer in tomorrow’s match between South Africa and the hosts in Karachi. This follows after both countries lost to New Zealand in the first two encounters. The Black Caps beat Pakistan by 78 runs in the opener, followed by a six-wicket victory over the Proteas, to reach the final. The tournament is used as preparation for the Champions Trophy between the world’s best eight teams, starting in Pakistan next week Wednesday.

# New Zealand Rugby is taking legal action against British chemicals giant Ineos, accusing the company of breaching its six-year sponsorship deal. The company, owned by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, allegedly abruptly walked away from its lucrative sponsorship agreement three years early, and failed to make its first payment this year. New Zealand Rugby says it has been left with no option but to launch legal proceedings to protect its commercial position. It adds it is actively pursuing new commercial opportunities.

# Golf: Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods has withdrawn from this week’s Genesis Invitational, saying he is still processing the death of his mother, Kultida, who passed away last week. Woods’ last official tournament appearance came in The Open at Royal Troon last July, when he missed the cut for the third consecutive major. The 49-year-old American has been replaced by countryman Jake Knapp in the invitational. Knapp won for the first time on the PGA Tour at last year’s Mexican Open.

# And finally, tennis: Five-time Grand Slam champion, Iga Swiatek, is through to the round of 16 of the Qatar Open as she continues her bid for a fourth straight title in Doha. The world number two from Poland defeated Greece’s Maria Sakkari, 6-3, 6-2. Russian tenth seed Daria Kasatkina demolished compatriot Polina Kudermetova, 6-love, 6-love in just 42-minutes, making this one of the quickest WTA matches ever. Czech youngster Linda Noskova knocked out 15th seeded Croatian Donna Vekic, 6-2, 6-4.

Stay tuned for more news………….