Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 25 January 12:30 pm

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

# South Africa’s first Ultimate Fighter champion, Dricus du Plessis, received a hero’s welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport this morning. He defeated the defending champion, American Sean Strickland, in a brutal five-round fight in Toronto, Canada, on Sunday to win the UFC middleweight title. Du Plessis says winning this title is a big step up for him:

# Soccer: South Africa has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations’ last 16 in the Ivory Coast. This is after they played to a goalless draw against Tunisia to finish second in Group E behind Mali, who also played to a goalless draw against Namibia. Meanwhile, a point was enough for the Democratic Republic of Congo to finish second in Group F behind Morocco, who topped the table after their one-nil win over Zambia. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he is happy with the performance:

# Cricket: The Paarl Royals recorded a five-wicket win against the Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers to extend their lead at the top of the SA20 table. An unbeaten 79 for Reeza Hendricks led the homeside to 168 for three in their 20 overs. In reply, a 95-run fourth-wicket partnership between Wihan Lubbe and Dane Vilas steered the visitors to victory. The Royals are strong contenders to secure a play-off spot. Lubbe says the team’s performance over the last few games has been good:

# Rugby: The Blitzboks are in Australia for this weekend’s Perth Sevens. Selvyn Davids is captaining a squad that includes two uncapped players, David Brits and Tristan Leyds, who are making the transition from 15s. There are also three players returning to the squad – prop James Murphy and playmakers Donovan Don and Ricardo Duarttee. After being named as last season’s Rookie of the Year, Duarttee missed out on the world series tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town, but he is back and ready to make an impact:

# And finally, tennis: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will be looking to avenge her US Open final defeat last year. She is playing American teenager Coco Gauff at the moment for a place in the Australian Open final. The Belarusian lost out in three sets at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka has won 12 consecutive matches at the Australian Open and has reached six straight major semifinals. Gauff has won 12 Grand Slam matches in a row. The winner will face either China’s Zheng Qinwen or Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska, neither of whom who has reached a major final before.

Stay tuned for more news………….