Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 15 May 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with soccer: Mamelodi Sundowns have been crowned 2024/25 Premiership champions after defeating Chippa United 3-0 at Buffalo City Stadium in East London. Two goals by Arthur Sales and one from Iqraam Rayners saw Masandawana complete the double over United to claim their eighth straight title and 15th overall. The victory also ensures they will end with over 70 points in the league for the third season in succession. Head coach Miguel Cardoso from Portugal becomes the first non-South African coach to win the title in ten-years.

# Cricket: Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman will replace Jake Fraser-McGurk in Delhi Capitals’ squad for the rest of the Indian Premier Leage after the  Australian batter decided not to return to India when the competition resumes on Saturday. Rahman also represented Delhi in the 2022 and ’23 seasons, and took a total of 61 wickets in IPL. Fraser-McCurck’s withdrawal follows that of English bowler Jamie Overton from Chennai Super Kings, while other players are expected to follow suit because the new schedule clashes with other commitments.

# Motorsport: McLaren is expected to bring significant car upgrades to this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy. The team has won five of the six races so far this season, and has a 105-point lead at the top of the constructors’ championship. British driver Lando Norris, who trails his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri by 16 points in the drivers’ championship, has struggled with his car this season. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says he is hopeful the upcoming upgrades will make the car easier for Norris to drive.

# Rugby: Holly Davidson will become the first female referee in a European final and the first Scot since Jim Fleming in 1998 after being appointed for the Challenge Cup encounter between Bath and Lyon in Cardiff, Wales, next Friday. She became the first woman refereeing the Springboks when they played Portugal in Bloemfontein last year, and will reprise that role in the Test between South Africa and Italy in Pretoria in July. Davidson also officiated during the past two Six Nations.

And finally: SA Rugby’s president, Mark Alexander, has paid tribute to Cornal Hendricks, describing him as a remarkable athlete whose contribution to the sport will always be remembered. The 37-year-old former Springbok winger passed away last night, reportedly from a heart attack. He played 12 Tests for the Boks and represented Boland, the Cheetahs, and the Bulls. Alexander says Hendricks was one of those players who loved the game and worked extremely hard, but always did so with a smile on his face, treating all people with respect.

Stay tuned for more news………….