Sports News 12:30
BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 16 May 12:30 pm
Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:
# First up we take a look at soccer: South Africa is through to the Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 final for the first time in 28 years following a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in Ismailia, Egypt. A header by Tylon Smith in the 66th minute proved decisive. This result ends Nigeria’s hopes of winning a record-extending eighth AFCON title. Amajita will face Morocco in the final on Sunday evening after they defeated Egypt 1-0 in their semifinal. The SA Under-20 team is bidding for their first continental title.
# Cricket: More than bragging rights are on offer in next month’s final of the World Test Championship between South Africa and Australia in London. The International Cricket Council has announced a huge increase in prize money, with the winning team receiving over 65-million-rand, and the losing team almost 38-million – more than what Australia earned for winning the title two-years ago. The ICC says the increase proves its efforts to give priority to the longest format of the game. The match will be played at Lord’s from the 11th.
# Rugby: Springbok stalwart Manie Libbok returns from a lengthy injury and will wear the Stormers’ number 10 jersey in tonight’s final United Rugby Championship league match against Welsh outfit Cardiff in Cape Town. He replaces young national teammate Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who will start on the bench. Damian Willemse moves from centre to full-back in place of Warrick Gelant, who is getting rested, and Suleiman Hartzenberg will part Leolin Zas on the wing.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old lock Anathi Qolo will lead the Springbok Women to Madagascar, where they will aim to defend their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title next month. The three Tests will be against Uganda, Kenya and the hostesses at the Stade Makis in Antananarivo on 7, 11 and 15 June, respectively. Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin says Qolo will spearhead a squad that includes 12 uncapped players:
# And finally, golf: Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas carded an opening round of seven-under 64 to take a two-shot lead over American Ryan Gerard and Australian Cam Davis at the US PGA Championship in North Carolina. Masters champion Rory McIlroy had an error-filled opening round, as the Northern Irishman ended the day ten shots behind the leader. South Africa’s Garrick Higgo and world number one, American Scottie Scheffler, are among a nine-way tie for 20th at two-under par. Vegas has described his start as incredible:
Stay tuned for more news………….