Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 27 August 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with rugby: Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September says they have good momentum heading into their second World Cup Pool D match against Italy in England on Sunday. Following their comprehensive 66-6 victory over Brazil in their opening match, victory over the Italians will secure a top-two finish for South Africa and a guaranteed place in the quarterfinals. September says they don’t underestimate any opponent, and Italy will be a tough challenge:

# Athletics: The world’s best athletes will converge on Zurich in Switzerland today for the final Diamond League meeting. Six South Africans are taking part in the two-day event, including sprinters Akani Simbine, Shaun Maswanganyi and Bayanda Walaza, who will run in the 100-metres. World indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso will participate in the 800-metres, Zenéy van der Walt in die 400-hurdles and Olympic silver medallist, Jo-Ané van Dyk in the javelin. Among the international stars are American sprinter Noah Lyles and Swedish-American world record pole-vaulter Armand Duplantis.

# Golf: The winner of next year’s South African Open will receive an invitation to participate in the US Masters. The tournament will be played in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape from 26 February, and will probably also stay part of the qualifying series for the 154th British Open. This means it will be the direct route for Sunshine Tour members to two of the most iconic Majors. Tour commissioner Thomas Abt describes this as the tour’s further recognition as a valued member of the global golf eco system.

# Tennis: World number one Jannik Sinner began his bid for back-to-back US Open titles with an easy victory over Czech player Vit Kopriva. The Italian will face Australian Alexei Popyrin next, who defeated Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland in straight sets. Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik knocked out 2014 champion Marin Cilic of Croatia. In the women’s draw, Poland’s Iga Swiatek eased past Colombia’s Emiliana Arango, while Japan’s Naomi Osaka defeated Belgian Greet Minnen to seal a place in the second round.

# And finally, motorsport: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Valtteri Bottas of Finland will return to Formula One next year after they were confirmed as drivers for new team, Cadillac. Perez was dropped by Red Bull at the end of last season while Bottas is a reserve driver for his former team, Mercedes, this year after losing his seat at Sauber. Both were given multi-year contracts at Cadillac, backed by General Motors. The team also shut down speculation that sacked Red Bull CEO Christian Horner will join them in a management role.

Stay tuned for more news………….