Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 8 January 12:30 pm

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

# First up, motorsport: South Africa’s Henk Lategan emerged victorious in stage 4 of the Dakar Rally and moved to the top of the general ranking. Last year’s overall runner-up secured his fifth career stage win in his Toyota Hilux. Qatari’s five-time champion, Nasser Al-Attiyah, was second fastest, with Poland’s Marek Goczał finishing third. Lategan says he just had to drive instinctively, after suffering nine punctures on Tuesday:

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has admitted disappointment following the team’s round-of-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Speaking at Gauteng’s OR Tambo International Airport on the team’s return, Broos noted the high expectation after winning bronze previously, but says the competition was tougher this time. He confirmed the focus now shifts to this year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States:

# Rugby: Springbok loose forward Ruan Venter will miss the Lions’ next four matches. He was banned following his red card against the Sharks in last weekend’s Rugby Championship match in Durban. Venter was sent off with a yellow card for making head contact with the Sharks’ Bok fullback, Aphelele Fassi, and it was upgraded to a 20-minute red card. His six-match ban was mitigated to four due to his remorse and exemplary conduct throughout the disciplinary process. Venter will only be available again in February.

# Cricket: Former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn believes South Africa’s squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka lacks experience in key areas. He questioned several decisions, particularly Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton’s omissions and the inclusion of inexperienced players such as Jason Smith and Kwena Maphaka. Steyn says experience of major tournaments are non-negotiable in World Cups. The Proteas play New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates in their group matches. The tournament starts on 7 February.

And more cricket news is that Australia secured a five-wicket victory over England in the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney to take the series 4-1. The visitors’ second innings ended on 342 on the final day, with Jacob Bethell scoring 154. Australia managed to chase down the target of 160 in 31.2 overs. Player of the series, Mitchell Starc, who took 31 wickets, conceded he was a little bit tired after a draining contest:

Stay tuned for more news………….