Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 3 December 12:30 pm

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

# We begin with rugby: World Rugby’s disciplinary panel reportedly failed to reach consensus on what punishment Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth should be given. This follows his red card for allegedly eye-gouging flanker Alex Mann in South Africa’s 73–0 demolition of Wales in Cardiff over the weekend. According to reports, the three-person panel requested additional time amid reports of major disagreement over the severity of the sanction. Etzebeth may now only learn his fate on Sunday.

# Cricket: Former Proteas Women captain Dané van Niekerk is set to return to international action after two and a half years in Friday’s first T20 against Ireland in Cape Town. She announced her retirement after the 2023 World Cup in the format after being left out of the squad due to fitness issues, but reversed it recently. Thirty-two-year-old Van Niekerk was included in the squads for both white ball series against the Irish. She believes she has much more to give to the team:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana capped off the year with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Morocco in an international friendly at Stade D’Agadir. Second-half goals from Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Noxolo Cesane secured the victory for coach Desiree Ellis’ charges. The match is part of preparations for next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, set to be held in Morocco. Banyana Banyana booked their place in WAFCON when they beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in the second leg of a qualifier in October.

# Motorsport: Frenchman Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda as four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull for the 2026 season. Hadjar has had an impressive rookie campaign at Racing Bulls, scoring points in ten races this season, including securing a maiden podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. Tsunoda will stay in the Red Bull fold as a test and reserve driver. Meanwhile, current Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad will make his F1 debut with Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson.

# And golf: Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods says his recovery from a back operation is not happening as quickly as he would like. The 49-year-old American underwent back surgery in October, his second in a little over a year and seventh overall since 2014. He also needed surgery earlier this year to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon. Woods, who last played at last year’s British Open, says he does not have a return date as yet:

Stay tuned for more news………….