Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 28 November 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he would not have opted for a 7-1 split on the bench for tomorrow’s clash against Wales in Cardiff if he had a full squad. Both teams are without many first-choice players because the match falls outside of the Test window. Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who is the only back player on the bench, is in line to win his 50th cap. Erasmus says they kind of rolled the dice because they only have 24 players:

Meanwhile, South Africa and Wales will have an unknown factor in the middle tomorrow. Little-known French referee Luc Ramos will officiate his first Springbok Test. He will be assisted by compatriot Pierre Brousset and Englishman Matthew Carley, who handed Ireland five cards in last week’s loss to South Africa. Victory will hand the Boks an undefeated tour after also beating Japan, France and Italy this month. Kick-off at the Principality Stadium is ten past five in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Springbok Sevens speedster Shilton van Wyk is eager to give the team a fast start in Dubai when the new world series kicks off in the United Arab Emirates tomorrow. The Blitzboks are in Group A together with Argentina, Fiji and France. Van Wyk made his debut for South Africa in the same tournament four years ago. He says they realise they need a fast start in the first match against France tomorrow morning, dominate from the outset and start the season on a high note.

# Soccer: Two South Africans will handle matches during the Africa Cup of Nations, starting in Morocco on the 21st of next month. Abongile Tom and Zakhele Siwela were named on the final list of 28 referees and 31 linesmen, together with 14 video match officials. Siwela is a veteran of seven Afcon tournaments, and also officiated during the previous two World Cup tournaments. Tom handled matches during the previous Afcon tournament and was also referee for the recent World Cup qualifier between Gabon and Nigeria in Rabat.

# And motorsport: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is seeking a hat-trick of victories at the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend as this year’s Formula One world championship reaches boiling point in the Arabian Gulf. But even with luck on his side he is unlikely to overhaul a 24-point deficit that separates him from McLaren’s Lando Norris as they approach the final two races of the season. Norris arrives in Qatar as favourite to lift his first title and clinch McLaren’s first team-and-driver double since Mika Hakkinen’s success in 1998.

Stay tuned for more news………….