Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 11 September 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: Springbok assistant coach Duane Vermeulen believes in the young backline announced for Saturday’s second Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Wellington. He says he’s looking forward to seeing what the exciting young players could do after last weekend’s loss in Auckland. Vermeulen believes the match is the perfect opportunity for the coaches to watch the inexperienced players under pressure as they build towards the World Cup in 2027. He believes the pack will give the backs plenty of good ball to launch attacks.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to his side. Leroy Carter will make his Test debut, replacing Rieko Ioane on the left wing. Samisoni Taukei’aho comes in for Codie Taylor, who is on concussion stand-down, while Will Jordan moves from fullback to the right wing, taking over from the injured Emoni Narawa. Noah Hotham and Tyrel Lomax are back in the starting side. Brodie McAlister comes into the reserves.

# Cricket: South Africa beat England by 14 runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in their rain-affected clash in Cardiff, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. Persistent downpours delayed the start of the game by over two hours, leaving only a nine-overs-a-side contest possible. Aiden Markram scored 28 as the Proteas powered to 97 for five in 7.5 overs before another rain disruption, and England’s target was revised to 69 in five overs. Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen took two wickets as the hosts finished on 54 for five.

# Athletics: South African sprinter Akani Simbine says he is confident as he bids to win the first major individual 100-metres medal of his career at the World Championships, starting in Tokyo, Japan, this weekend. He will also be in the four-by-100-metres relay. The 31-year-old has claimed three Diamond League victories this season, having also won bronze at the World Indoor championships in March. Simbine says winning medals is not his story; they are just the cherry on top.

Sad news is that another South African sprint sensation, Bayanda Walaza, has been forced to withdraw from the event. The 19-year-old injured his hamstring at the Diamond League Final in Zurich last month. Athletics South Africa says the decision to withdraw Walaza was made in the best interest of the athlete and the integrity of the national team. He will be replaced in the men’s 100-metre event by Retshidisitswe Mlenga. Walaza was also set to participate in the four-by-100 metres relay.

Stay tuned for more news………….