Sports News 12:30

NEWSFLASH SPORTS NEWS 15 November 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: The South African Rugby Union says all trophies including a replica of the Webb Ellis Cup are safe after the SA Rugby’s head offices in Plattekloof, Cape Town, were broken into and robbed on Monday evening. Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk says two burglars gained entrance into the office complex through a window on the ground floor. The complex houses Saru House and other businesses. He says at the first company, five signed Springbok jerseys, whisky, and eight laptops were taken. From another company, 60 laptops were stolen.

Meanwhile, Irish United Rugby Championship team, Connacht, is set to tour South Africa without key international players. Star players Bundee Aki, Santiago Cordero, and Mack Hansen will be notably absent as Connacht prepares for clashes against the Sharks in Durban this Saturday and a subsequent match against the Bulls in Pretoria. Despite missing these stars, Connacht maintains a strong position in the competition, having lost only one match this season and currently standing in fifth place on the table.

# Cricket: South Africa is in a bid for redemption as they are gearing up to face Australia in a World Cup semifinal clash tomorrow. The Proteas have faced persistent setbacks in their previous four semifinal appearances, falling short in 1992, 1999, 2007, and 2015. Particularly, the defeats in 1999 and 2007 were handed to them by the Australians at Edgbaston and St Lucia respectively. As they brace for the upcoming encounter at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, South Africa aims to rewrite their semifinal narrative and secure a coveted spot in the final.

# Tennis: Jannik Sinner earned his first-ever win over Novak Djokovic to hand the world number one his first loss since Wimbledon at the ATP Finals in Turin. The Italian defeated the Serb, 7-5, 6-7, 7-6, to close in on a semifinal spot in the Green Group. In the other match, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas was forced to retire due to a medical reason after just three games against Holger Rune, handing the Dane his first win. Sinner says it means a lot to him to beat the world number one:

Play sound: ENG SinnerOnBeatingNovak

# And soccer: National team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar has confirmed that Brazilian forward Neymar faces an extended recovery from his recent knee injury. Neymar, who underwent successful surgery two weeks ago, is expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries in his left knee. Lasmar expressed satisfaction with Neymar’s progress, but emphasised the complex nature of the injury, which required a lengthy rehabilitation process. The Brazilian Football Confederation aims for Neymar’s return for the 2024 Copa America in June.

Stay tuned for more news………….