Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 29 August 12:30 pm

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

# We begin with athletics: South Africa’s Akani Simbine crossed the line in 9.98-seconds to finish second in the men’s 100-metres at the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland. His compatriot, Bayanda Walaza, pulled up with a hamstring injury. American Christian Coleman won the race with Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake in third. South Africa’s Jo-Ané du Plessis finished third in the women’s javelin, which was won by Elina Tzengko of Greece ahead of Serbian Adriana Vilagos. World indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso ended sixth in the women’s 800-metres.

# Rugby: Captain Victor Sekekete hopes to lead the Cheetahs to victory over Griquas in his 100th match when they meet in the Currie Cup in Bloemfontein this afternoon. He describes the milestone as a dream come true, saying a victory would be the cherry on the cake. Both teams have won four of their five previous matches, with the Cheetahs top of the log and the visitors in third position. Sekekete says they fixed their mistakes after almost allowing the Lions back in the game last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Sharks have made six changes to their starting team for tomorrow’s penultimate pool match against Boland Kavaliers in Pietermaritzburg. The hosts are upbeat after a bonus point victory over Western Province last week. Siya Masuku makes his first appearance in the competition this year at flyhalf, Paschal Ekeji plays on the wing, while Albie Bester comes in at inside centre. Amongst the forwards, Jacques Marais comes in at hooker and Jannes Potgieter at flank while Mawande Mdanda is the new tighthead prop.

# Cricket: Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood expects a huge batting onslaught from England in the Ashes Series, saying the visitors will certainly bring their strongest team he’d ever encountered. He wants to play a four-day match in the local Sheffield Shield in the run-up to the five Tests after recently playing in five of the six white-ball matches against South Africa. Hazlewood believes English batters such as Joe Root and Harry Brook could be dangerous. The first Test starts in Perth on the 21st of November.

# And finally, tennis: Defending champion Jannik Sinner is through to the US Open third round after beating Australian Alexei Popyrin in straight sets. This is the Italian’s 23rd successive victory in hard-court Grand Slam tournaments. Germany’s Alexander Zverev secured victory over Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, while Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak stunned Russia’s Karen Khachanov in five sets. In the women’s draw, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek of Poland defeated Dutch player Suzan Lamens while American Coco Gauff beat Croatia’s Donna Vekic.

Stay tuned for more news………….