Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 16 February 12:30 pm

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

# We start with rugby: Perth, renowned for its strong support for the Springboks, will host the world champions against Australia in a Mandela Plate Test in September. This is one of six home Tests for the Wallabies confirmed by Rugby Australia. Perth will also host a Test against Italy in July in the inaugural Nations Championship. Before then, the Aussies will play Ireland in Sydney and France in Brisbane. In August, Japan will face the Wallabies in Townsville, followed by the Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks in Sydney.

More rugby news: France replaced England in third place in the world rankings after the English yet again fell to Scotland at their home ground of Murrayfield in the capital of Edinburgh. The 31-20 Six Nations loss benefitted the defending champion despite not earning any ranking points by routing Wales 54-12. The Springboks and the All Blacks are still in the top-two positions. Ireland is fifth after beating Italy, followed by Argentina, Australia and Fiji. Scotland is ninth, and Italy tenth.  

# Golf: South Africa’s MJ Daffue won the NTT Data Pro-Am at the Fancourt Golf Estate in George in the Western Cape. He signed for a three-under-par 69 to reach 16-under-par for the week and finish four shots clear of a four-way tie for second. Daffue says he had to be patient, and it paid off:

# Cricket: Australia is under huge pressure in this afternoon’s T20 World Cup group match against co-hosts Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The Aussies unexpectedly lost to Zimbabwe earlier, and needs a victory today to improve their chances of qualifying for the Super Eight stage. Should they lose again, they will have to rely on other group results to proceed. Co-host India and the West Indies are already through to the next round. The group stage ends on Friday and the Super Eight starts the next day.

# And tennis: World number one, Carlos Alcaraz, says despite having a lot of success, he still has weaknesses in his game. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who completed the career Grand Slam with his Australian Open victory last month, returns to action at the Qatar Open in Doha this week. Alcaraz, who will open his campaign against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech tomorrow, says he is only focused on improving in every tournament:

Stay tuned for more news………….