Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 17 Julie 12:30 pm

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

# We start with cricket: Aiden Markram and Laura Wolvaardt were the big winners at Cricket South Africa’s awards in Johannesburg, scooping the men’s and women’s player of the year accolades. Markram also claimed the players’ player of the year award. Wolvaardt also won best one-day player, best T20 player and players’ player of the year. Simon Harmer and Matthew Breetzke were named the men’s Test and ODI players of the year, respectively, while Lungi Ngidi won T20 international player of the year and the SA fans’ player of the year prize. 

# Rugby: Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made three changes to the side that defeated England in the Junior World Championship semi-final for tomorrow’s final against France in Georgia. He made two adjustments to his forward pack with Wasi Vyambwera starting at number eight and Gert Kemp moving to the bench. Risima Khosa will start at flanker. Alzeadon Felix comes in at fullback for Luan Giliomee, who received a red card in the semi-final. Kick-off is at half past six tomorrow evening.

Other rugby news: Welsh coach Steve Tandy wants a real physical edge from his men in tomorrow’s Nations Championship encounter with the Springboks in Durban. He realises they are going up against probably the most physical team in the world, and says it’s a great opportunity to test themselves against the world champions. Tandy made six changes to his starting team that lost to Argentina last weekend, including bolstering his pack. Captain Dewey Lake passed a late fitness test and will lead the side.

# Mixed martial arts: South African fighter Dricus du Plessis hopes to start his journey back to the UFC middleweight world title in Sunday’s fight against Nigerian-American Kamara Usman in the US city of Oklahoma. He defended his belt twice before succumbing to Russian Khamzat Chimaev in August last year. Thirty-two-year-old Du Plessis believes victory over Usman won’t be enough to earn him a world title fight, but will grab the UFC bosses’ attention by giving a performance that eliminated any doubt that he’s the best in the world.

# And motorsport: Reigning Formula One world champion, Lando Norris, will take a ten-place grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix after exceeding the permitted number of power unit allocations. His McLaren will be fitted with a new power unit, his fourth this season, which is one more than is permitted without penalty. Norris will start Sunday’s race no higher than 11th on the grid, but says the upgrades they introduced will hopefully make a difference:

Stay tuned for more news………….