Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 2 July 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: Midfielder Jesse Kriel will officially become the 67th Springbok captain in the first Test against Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. He takes over from regular captain Siya Kolisi, who had a stiff Achilles, and it was decided to keep him out as a precaution. Coach Rassie Erasmus says Kriel would stay on the field for the full 80 minutes, and that swayed the decision to give him the captaincy ahead of Eben Etzebeth, who has captained the side before. Kick-off is at 5:10 pm.

Meanwhile, British and Irish Lions’ head coach Andy Farrell expects a much tougher match against the Reds in Brisbane today after they pummelled Western Force 54-7 in Saturday’s first tour match in Perth. Farrell says they have to be adaptable, with nine matches within five weeks, including three Tests against the Wallabies. The Reds are coached by Les Kiss, who takes over at the Wallabies next year. Farrell says they are a great side and will always be well prepared where Kiss is involved.

# Athletics: South African middle-distance coach Samuel Sepeng says financial constraints are preventing him from joining 800-metre gold medallist athlete Prudence Sekgodiso at international events. She recently broke the record at Ostrava’s Golden Spike event, and competes in the Diamond League in Eugene, USA, on Saturday. Sepeng told SABC Sport he’s coaching remotely despite time zone challenges due to lack of funding for flights, food, and accommodation, stressing that in-person guidance is vital for Sekgodiso’s performance.

# Cricket: The coach of the England Lions, Andrew Flintoff, says he has no desire to succeed Brendon McCullum as head coach of the national team. McCullum’s contract will expire after 2027’s World Cup in Southern Africa, and Flintoff had been linked with the position should the New Zealander decide not to stay on. The former England captain scored over seven-thousand runs and took 400 wickets in all formats for his country. Flintoff says he admires McCullum, who he describes as the country’s best coach ever.

# And finally, motorsport: Formula One has a plan should season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi be affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Iran responded to US participation in Israel’s 12-day air war by firing missiles at a US airbase in Qatar, across the Gulf from Iran. Qatar is due to host the penultimate round of the championship on 30 November, with Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina following on 7 December.  F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says they are in daily contact with local promoters to monitor the situation.

Stay tuned for more news………….