Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 20 November 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: The Springboks will play in their Green and Gold kit in Saturday’s Test against Ireland in Dublin. They have played in their alternative white jerseys in their previous tour matches against France and Italy. Ireland will don white jerseys instead of their usual bright green. The teams have opted for the old tradition of the home team wearing their alternate kits when the jerseys are of similar colour. The Boks wore their alternate white jersey in last year’s two Tests against the Irish in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe says they will need to capitalise on their point-scoring opportunities on Saturday. South Africa last beat Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in 2012, and Saturday’s clash offers the world champions a chance to end a 13-year wait for success in the Irish capital. Kolbe is expecting a physical match, emphasising that they will need to adapt to the scenarios that play out on the field:

# Cricket: The Perth Stadium’s pitch will be an unknown factor for both Australia and England when this season’s Ashes Series kicks off tomorrow. It’s a relatively new venue after Australia ditched the iconic Waca, while unseasonal weather and a new surface only dropped in a month ago also add to the uncertainty. Western Australian head curator Isaac McDonald doesn’t believe the elements will change the characteristics of the pitch, saying pace and bounce should always be expected.

# Tennis: Two-time defending champions Italy has booked its fourth consecutive semifinal berth at the Davis Cup Finals by beating Austria in Bologna. Matteo Berrettini got the hosts off to a winning start by defeating the 177th-ranked Jurij Rodionov 6-3, 7-6. Flavio Cobolli followed his compatriot with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Austrian number one Filip Misolic. Italy, which aims to become the first nation to win three consecutive titles in 53 years, will face Belgium in the semifinals tomorrow. Today, Argentina faces Germany, and Spain takes on the Czech Republic. 

And 20-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in August next year. The 44-year-old Swiss legend, who retired in 2022, won 103 tour-level titles. Federer was the only candidate to receive enough support in the player category for the hall’s class of 2026. Players can be considered after five years away from the tour and need to be selected by 75-percent of the voting group. Federer says to be recognised by the sport in this way is deeply humbling.

Stay tuned for more news………….