Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 27 March 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: FNB is now the main sponsor of the Springboks, with its logo featured on the team’s jerseys. This builds on a partnership that started in 2017. FNB will support the men’s, women’s, and youth teams. FNB CEO Harry Kellan says the sponsorship reflects the bank’s commitment to rugby’s role in uniting the nation and developing young talent. SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer says the partnership will strengthen rugby.

Meanwhile, Blitzboks head coach Philip Snyman and captain Selvyn Davids hope for special birthday presents in Hong Kong this weekend. Snyman celebrated his 38th birthday and Davids his 31st yesterday while they are preparing for the world sevens tournament in the Asian city. Davids, who made his Blitzboks debut in Hong Kong in 2017, says they want to change the fact that they’ve never won the tournament. The Blitzboks, who are currently fourth on the log, play Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay in Pool B this weekend.

# Cricket: South Africa’s Quinton de Kock scored an unbeaten 97 to guide Indian Premier League defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders to an eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. Spinners Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy combined to help restrict Rajasthan to 151 for nine. In reply, De Kock and impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi shared an unbeaten 83-run partnership off 44 balls, as KKR reached the target with 15 balls to spare. Today Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Lucknow Super Giants.

# Golf: Four-time major champion, Rory McIlroy, visited Augusta National in Georgia earlier this week as part of preparations for the Masters, the only major title he needs to complete a career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman and world number one American Scottie Scheffler are among the favourites to win the Masters, which tees off on the 10th of April. McIlroy, who is playing at this week’s Houston Open, says his scouting trip to Augusta was to refamiliarise himself with the place:

# And finally, tennis: Wild card Alexandra Eala stunned world number two Iga Swiatek of Poland in straight sets to make her first WTA semifinal at the Miami Open. The 19-year-old is the first player from the Philippines to reach a tour-level semifinal. In the men’s draw, Frenchman Arthur Fils rallied from a set down to beat Germany’s Alexander Zverev and book his spot in the quarterfinals. Bulgarian 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov needed nearly three-hours to battle past Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.

Stay tuned for more news………….