Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 2 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 expected to face a disciplinary hearing today after his red card against Wales. He was sent off for making contact with the eye area of flanker Alex Mann in the 73-0 routing. The most-capped Bok in history faces a lengthy ban, but a mitigating factor is that this was his very first red card in 141 Tests. Lood de Jager and France Mostert also received red cards during the tour, but Mostert’s was later rescinded.

Meanwhile, the president of SA Rugby, Mark Alexander, congratulated the Springboks for an outstanding 2025 season, including the successful defence of the Rugby Championship title, as well as a second successive unbeaten tour of Europe. Alexander says the team’s sacrifices, dedication and unwavering commitment have once again united the nation and inspired millions. He says the Boks have also carried themselves with dignity and humility as true ambassadors of South Africa. Alexander lauds the Boks for their resilience, discipline and teamwork.

Springboks Sevens coach Philip Snyman says they will rectify the mishaps from Dubai in this coming weekend’s world series tournament in Cape Town. The Blitzboks beat France in Dubai before losing to Fiji and Argentina, but bounced back on Sunday to end fifth and earn 12 points. Snyman says this gave them some positives after their disappointing opening day in the tournament they’ve won 11 times in the past. He says they have enough to work on when they defend their title in the Mother City.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Rising stars Shandre Campbell and England-based midfielder Tylon Smith are among the headline picks, both earning their first call-ups to a major international tournament. Burnley striker Lyle Foster is the only inclusion from a club among the top five European leagues. Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker, Themba Zwane, who recently returned from injury, has not been included in the squad. Bafana is in Group B with Angola, Zimbabwe, and Egypt.

# And motorsport: Red Bull has apologised for comments about Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, implying that he intentionally let McLaren’s Lando Norris overtake him on the penultimate lap of Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix. Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, said it looked like Antonelli had just pulled over and let Norris through. This is after the Italian ran wide and lost fourth place to the championship leader. Red Bull says they were clearly incorrect and regret the online abuse Antonelli has received since.

Stay tuned for more news………….