Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 21 January 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: A 42-man Junior Springbok training squad will assemble in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape today, marking a major step in the SA Under-20s’ campaign for this year. The squad is a mix of regulars and exciting talent graduating from the Under-18’s, and 13 players who toured France and Ireland towards the end of last year with the Under-19s. Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote says it’s important that they get the foundation of the culture and the environment right for the young players to excel.

# The City of Cape Town says traffic and public safety services will be in place for a busy sports weekend. The Stormers host the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, and the final of the SA20 cricket competition takes place at Newlands on Sunday. Metrorail services to Newlands will be available to ease congestion. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, advises residents that roads around the venues may be affected throughout the weekend:

SA20’s fourth season has reached the playoffs. The two teams finishing on top of the table, two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, and Pretoria Capitals, will do battle in today’s first qualifier in Durban. The winner goes straight through to Sunday’s final in Cape Town, while the loser gets another chance in Friday’s second qualifier at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. They will face the winner of tomorrow’s eliminator between the third and fourth-placed teams, Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings, in Centurion.

More cricket news, New Zealand selectors are sweating over the fitness of two players only weeks before the start of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Fast bowler Adam Milne was injured playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, while allrounder Michael Bracewell sustained an injury during the third one-day international against India on Sunday. Allrounder Kristian Clarke had been added to the squad for the T20 series against India. The World Cup starts on 7 February, with New Zealand facing Afghanistan the next day.

# And motorsport: Mercedes’ Formula One team announced the departure of its director of car design, John Owen, later this season after being involved with nine cars who have won the world championship. The team says Owen has decided to take a break from the sport and will start a period of so-called gardening leave, during which he isn’t allowed to join any other F1 team. The 52-year-old British engineer will first assure the transition to his successor, engineering director Giacomo Tortora.

Stay tuned for more news………….