Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 26 August 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin says they must now move their focus to Italy after thrashing Brazil 66-6 in their first World Cup match on Sunday. Number eight Aseza Hele scored three of South Africa’s ten tries. De Bruin says although the Brazilians are the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, he is proud that his team delivered an 80-minute performance, but they must work on their ball handling. The Boks play Italy on Sunday and their final group match against France a week later.

Meanwhile, Springbok men’s coach Rassie Erasmus says they are under no illusions about the massive challenge of facing the All Blacks in New Zealand. The two countries play their first Rugby Championship match at Eden Park in Auckland next Saturday and again a week later in Wellington. Erasmus has named a 36-man group for the tour, retaining almost the entire squad that featured in the opening two rounds against Australia. Erasmus says every match against the All Blacks is epic, given the rivalry between the teams.

# Cricket: Former South African captain Dané van Niekerk has come out of international retirement and is in contention for a spot in the Women’s World Cup squad. The 32-year-old, who retired from national duty in March 2023, has been included in a 20-member training squad. Van Niekerk says time away has reminded her just how much she has missed representing the country. She says she is fully committed to giving everything to once again have that opportunity. The squad must be cut to 15 for the World Cup.

More cricket news: Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly will coach Pretoria Capitals in the fourth season of the SA20. This is the 53-year-old’s first stint in such a role, replacing former English batter Jonathan Trott, with former Proteas allrounder Sean Pollock as assistant coach. Ganguly became an administrator after his retirement in 2008 and served as president of India’s governing body, the BCCI, from 2019 to 2022. He was previously also a mentor for Indian Premier League side Delhi Capitals. The next SA20 starts on 26 December.

# And finally, tennis: South Africa’s Lloyd Harris beat Argentina’s Sebastian Baez  in the first round of the US Open. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeated big-serving American Reilly Opelka in three sets, with the second seed aiming for his second crown at Flushing Meadows. Norwegian Casper Ruud saw off Austrian Sebastian Ofner,. In the women’s draw, Australian Open champion Madison Keys suffered a shock three-set defeat to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua. Another American, Venus Williams, also lost in three sets to Czech Karolina Muchova.

Stay tuned for more news………….