Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 13 April 12:30 pm

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

# We begin with rugby: Double World Cup-winning Springboks scrumhalf, Faf de Klerk, is making a return to South Africa to join the Cheetahs on a two-year deal. The 34-year-old will join the Bloemfontein-based side in June from Japan’s Yokohama Canon Eagles. The Cheetahs say De Klerk’s tenacity on the field and his leadership off it are exactly what the team needs as they continue to compete at the highest level. De Klerk thanked his Japanese club, saying he leaves with nothing but respect and appreciation for everyone involved with the Eagles.

Other rugby news: Two Springbok Women’s Sevens players, Zintle Mpupha and Eloïse Webb, have been recalled to the squad for the first Sevens World Championship tournament, to be played in Hong Kong this coming weekend. Mpupha played for the squad in January, while Webb last represented the team in 2024. Coach Cecil Afrika has also called on the uncapped duo of Jané Mulder and Owami Mohuli. Mpupha says the senior players are ready to make another step up:

# Golf: Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy became just the fourth player to win back-to-back US Masters titles at Augusta National. The 36-year-old built a historic six-stroke halfway lead but found himself two behind early in a dramatic final round. He then shot a final-round 71 to finish on 12 under, one stroke clear of world number one American Scottie Scheffler. Four players finished tied third. McIlroy says it’s incredible what he has achieved:

# Tennis: Italian Jannik Sinner overcame defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to clinch his maiden Monte-Carlo Masters title, and return to the number one ranking. He saw off the Spaniard, 7-6, 6-3, to win his third Masters One-thousand title of the year, having already triumphed at Indian Wells and Miami. He has also extended his winning run in the Masters series to 22 matches. Sinner, who has reclaimed the number one ranking from Alcaraz, says winning this title means a lot to him:

# And cricket: Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings remain the only undefeated teams in this year’s Indian Premier League. Rajasthan won all of their first four matches, while Punjab won three and their other encounter rained out. They are followed by defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who lost one game. Delhi Capitals are in fourth position, followed by Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, who remain winless. Today sees Hyderabad hosting Rajasthan.

Stay tuned for more news………….