Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 1 December 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after his red card in the 73-0 win against Wales in Cardiff. He was sent off for an eye-gouge on opposition flanker Alex Mann after they got involved in a scuffle. Under World Rugby regulations, intentional contact with the eye carries a minimum entry point of a 12-week ban, with top-end sanctions exceeding 24 weeks. In extreme cases, bans can stretch as far as four years, though that scenario remains highly unlikely in Etzebeth’s case.

Meanwhile, hosts South Africa had been drawn in Pool A alongside New Zealand, Fiji and Great Britain for the weekend’s Cape Town Sevens. The Blitzboks finished fifth in Dubai yesterday, a tournament won by New Zealand. Pool B consists of Argentina, Australia, France and Spain. South Africa is the defending champion after beating France in last year’s final. In the women’s draw, New Zealand’s Black Ferns will meet Fiji, USA and Great Britain in Pool A, while Australia heads up Pool B, alongside Japan, Canada and France.

# Cricket: Thirty-seven-year-old Virat Kohli starred with the bat as India defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first ODI in Ranchi to lead the three-match series 1-0. Kohli scored 135 from 120 balls, his 52nd century in the format, as the hosts posted a daunting total of 349 for eight in their 50 overs. In reply, Matthew Breetzke scored 72 while Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets, as the Proteas were bowled out for 332. The second ODI will be played in Raipur on Wednesday.

# Motorsport: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix to ensure the drivers’ championship is decided in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi this coming weekend. McLaren’s alternative strategy proved costly as Oscar Piastri finished second and championship leader Lando Norris fourth. Carlos Sainz finished third for Williams. Verstappen, who is in the hunt for a fifth successive title, is now 12 points behind Norris with Piastri a further four points behind. Verstappen says their strategy was perfect:

# And finally, athletics: Mondo Duplantis was crowned Male World Athlete of the Year for the third time at the World Athletics Awards held in Monaco. The Swedish pole vault star set four world records this year and was undefeated in 16 competitions. He also won the men’s field award. American sprint sensation Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the Female World Athletes of the Year award. She became the first woman since 1985 to break the 48-second barrier in the 400 metres in Tokyo this year. Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the men’s track award.

Stay tuned for more news………….