Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 20 February 12:30 pm

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

# We kick off with rugby: A place among the top-eight of the United Rugby Championship is on offer when the Lions host the Sharks in Johannesburg tomorrow. The Sharks are currently ninth on the log and the Lions tenth. A victory for the visitors will see them clinch the South African shield with one local derby remaining, while the Lions will reduce the six points between the teams and remain in contention if they win. Third-placed Stormers and seventh-place Bulls are not in action this weekend.

# Cricket: Proteas Women allrounder Marizanne Kapp will miss the one-day series against Pakistan due to illness. The 36-year-old experienced discomfort shortly after bowling in the third and final T20 against Pakistan in Benoni on Monday. Cricket South Africa says following further medical assessments, the medical team has opted to rest her as a precaution. Kapp is replaced by 18-year-old Fay Cowling, who has received her maiden call-up. The three-match ODI series begins in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

More cricket news: The T20 World Cup reaches the end of the group phase today, with Australia hoping to end on a high with victory over Oman in Pallekele. The 2021 champion was already eliminated after losing two of its first three matches. The Super Eights stage starts in Colombo tomorrow when Pakistan and New Zealand will do battle. South Africa faces India in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The top-two teams in each group qualify for the semifinals. The final will be played on the eighth of next month.

# Motorsport: Formula One president, Stefano Domenicali, says he does not understand the panic around the new regulations for this season. The biggest rule change in F1 history has seen cars, engines, and tyres all subject to change, in addition to the introduction of carbon-neutral, sustainable fuels. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen described the new cars as like Formula E on steroids. Domenicali says people need to be calm, as this is just the beginning of a new journey. He added that changes would be made if necessary.

# And, Paralympics: Ukraine’s Winter Paralympics team will boycott the event’s opening ceremony in Italy next month following the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to participate under their countries’ flags. Ukrainian officials have already stated they will boycott the entire competition. Ukraine’s National Paralympic Committee has described the decision as shameful and say it completely contradicts the principles of the Games.

Stay tuned for more news………….