Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 8 October 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: The national unions of South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Italy, and Australia have warned that any players who join the breakaway R360 competition will be banned from playing for their countries. R360 plans to launch a shortened competition in October next year, with players reportedly being offered lucrative contracts to make the switch. The national unions say R360 has given no indication as to how it plans to manage player welfare, and how the competition would coexist with the international and domestic calendars.

Meanwhile, Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx says although they are delighted by their back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, hard work now lies ahead before their tour of the Northern Hemisphere. South Africa ended the competition on a high with consecutive victories over the All Blacks and two over the Pumas, but Marx says they still have to improve. The Boks play Japan in London on the first of November, followed by Tests against France in Paris, Italy in Turin, Ireland in Dublin and Wales in Cardiff on consecutive weekends.

# Soccer: Mamelodi Sundowns forward Iqraam Rayners has been ruled out of Bafana Bafana’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. Governing body SAFA says he has been withdrawn from the squad due to medical reasons. Evidence Makgopa has been called up as his replacement. Rayners’ withdrawal follows that of Orlando Pirates forward Relebohile Mofokeng due to injury. South Africa faces Zimbabwe in Durban on Friday and Rwanda in Mpumalanga on Tuesday.

# Cricket: England recorded their second victory in the Women’s World Cup, securing a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Guwahati to move to the top of the standings. Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 178. Heather Knight then scored an unbeaten 79 and shared a 75-run partnership with Charlie Dean as England reached their target in the 47th over. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt says they did what was needed:

# And finally, tennis: The governing body of the men’s professional game, the ATP, will consider a formal heat rule after a string of retirements at the Shanghai Masters in China this week. World number two, Jannik Sinner of Italy, was forced to retire because of severe cramps, while players such as Norway’s Casper Ruud, Belgium’s David Goffin and Frenchman Terence Atmane also quit during their matches, played in temperatures of over 30-degrees celcius and 80-percent humidity. The ATP says it was open to change existing heat rules.

Stay tuned for more news………….