Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 18 September 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with athletics: The world record holder in the 400-metres, Wayde van Niekerk, and South African compatriot Sinesipho Dambile will compete in the semifinal of the 200-metres at the world championships in Tokyo, Japan, this afternoon. Van Niekerk, who switched to the shorter race during last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, finished second in his heat while Dambile was third in his. They face stiff opposition from sprinters such as Bryan Levell from Jamaika, Zimbabwe’s Tapiwanahe Makarawu and American Courtney Lindsey, who posted the fastest qualifying times.

# Golf: The South African duo of Danie van Niekerk and James Mack set the pace with their rounds of four-under-par 67, to share the lead after the first round of the Sunbet Challenge at the Umhlali Country Club in KwaZulu-Natal. They are one stroke clear of their compatriot Lyle Rowe and Indonesia’s Eric Wowor. Van Niekerk, who is still searching for a maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour, says he has put himself in a strong position to win the 54-hole tournament:

# Cricket: Proteas batter Dewald Brevis says his huge price tag in the SA20 won’t change him and he will still go out on the field and try to have fun. The 22-year-old was snatched up for a whopping 16.5-million-rand by Pretoria Capitals during last week’s players’ auction after playing for defending champions MI Cape Town in the first three seasons. Brevis, who grew up in Gauteng, describes his time in the Mother City as very special, but is super excited to move to his hometown.

# Rugby: Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named a 34-man squad, comprising 19 forwards and 15 backs, to face New Zealand in the final two rounds of the Rugby Championship. Prop James Slipper is on course to make his 150th appearance, joining Wales’ Alun-Wyn Jones and All Blacks’ Sam Whitelock as the only players to reach this milestone. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon, who missed the opening four games of the Championship, returns to the squad after recovering from injury. Another scrumhalf, Ryan Lonergan, is the only uncapped player in the group.

# And finally, tennis: First-time finalist Ukraine is through to the semifinal of the Billie Jean King Cup women’s competition in China after beating the strong Spanish team. Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Paula Badosa, respectively. Ukraine will play defending champions Italy next after Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini both fought hard to defeat the hostesses. In today’s remaining quarterfinals, Kazakhastan will face the US and Japan will play Great Britain. The semifinals will be played tomorrow and Saturday, with the final on Sunday.  

Stay tuned for more news………….