Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 3 March 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says they are well-positioned ahead of a demanding season, emphasising that squad depth will be key. The world champions begin their season with a non-cap match against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on 20 June, before launching their Nations Championship campaign against England at Ellis Park on 4 July. Forty-nine players are taking part in a Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town this week. Erasmus has stressed the importance of long-term planning:

# Golf: Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero confirms preparations are complete for the 18th Joburg Open in Houghton this weekend. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Morero said the area has had no water issues, with golf courses relying on groundwater. He highlighted the tourism attraction and interest internationally. Morero says hosting such events showcases Johannesburg as a sports hub and underscores ongoing infrastructure development:

# Soccer: The coach of England’s women’s team, Sarina Wiegman, says they have been assured there are no safety concerns for today’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Turkey, despite the conflict in the Middle East. The match in Antalya kicks off at five this afternoon. Turkey borders Iran as well as Iraq and is also close to Cyprus, where an Iranian drone crashed into a British Air Force Base on Sunday. Wiegman says they won’t hesitate to leave Turkey if their government thinks it’s unsafe.

Meanwhile, world governing body FIFA says almost seven-million tickets have been made available for this year’s World Cup in Canada, the US and Mexico, of which about two-million were sold during October’s initial lottery. The second sales phase in December and January attracted 508-million requests. The most popular matches were those between Portugal and Colombia in Miami on 27 June, between Mexico and South Korea in Guadelajara on the 18th, and the final in New Jersey on 19 July. The tournament kicks off on 11 June.

# And athletics: The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya has suspended 27 athletes over violations of anti-doping rules. They include national 400-metre hurdles champion Wiseman Were and former Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo. Twenty-eight-year-old Were has been suspended for missing three tests since August 2025. Jeptoo has been suspended following a test that found the presence of prohibited anabolic androgenic steroids. The list also includes soccer and basketball players who have been provisionally suspended for varying doping offences.

Stay tuned for more news………….