Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 1 October 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test between South Africa and Argentina in London will be refereed by Italian Andrea Piardi, who is accused of doing the Wallabies in on two recent occasions. He handled the second Test against the British and Irish Lions and allowed a controversial Lions’ try in the dying moments that clinched the series. Piardi also handled the whistle in last weekend’s match against the All Blacks, whereafter many Australian fans, international pundits and even players pointed out inconsistencies in his decisions.

Meanwhile, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he is pleased with how the squad has evolved this year, especially in terms of depth and the different strengths they have. None of the 36 players he has used in this year’s Rugby Championship have been on the pitch for the entire 400 minutes of the five rounds. The Boks have had 28 different try scorers this year. Erasmus says the interchangeability of combinations is still a work in progress:

# Cricket: The opening fixture of the Women’s World Cup between hostesses India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati set a new opening day attendance record. The 22-thousand-843 fans were the most who attended a group stage fixture at any Women’s World Cup. The previous record of 15-thousand-935 was set during last year’s Group A clash between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup. Hall of Famer Sachin Tendulkar of India says this milestone sends a powerful message that women’s cricket deserves not just applause, but equal respect.

# Tennis: World number one Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters in China due to a left ankle injury. The 22-year-old Spaniard hurt his ankle in his opening match of the Japanese Open, but pushed through the tournament to lift the trophy for his ATP Tour-leading eighth title of the season. France’s Corentin Moutet takes Alcaraz’s place in the Shanghai field. Alcaraz says he has opted to rest and recover ahead of the final phase of the season:

# And soccer: Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick and his 60th Champions League goal, as he helped Real Madrid to a 5-1 victory over Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan. In Turkey, Victor Osimhen scored the winner from a penalty, as Galatasaray stunned Liverpool 1-0. Both Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich scored five goals against Eintracht Frankfurt and Pafos, respectively, while Tottenham Hotspur clawed back from 2-0 down to earn a point in a 2-all draw away to Bodø/Glimt. Chelsea earned a 1-0 win over Benfica.

Stay tuned for more news………….