Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 16 April 12:30 pm

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

# First up we look at rugby: Springbok Sevens captain, Impi Visser, says despite winning four of the six tournaments in the World Sevens Series, they are still searching for the perfect performance. South Africa is preparing to take on Uruguay, Spain, and Argentina in the first of three World Championship tournaments in Hong Kong this weekend. Visser says there are aspects of their game that need to improve, adding that consistency will be key:

More rugby news: Former Springbok and Bulls coach Jake White is looking for new opportunities after leaving his position as consultant at Selborne College in KuGompu City, (East London), in the Eastern Cape. He cites a clash with principal Andrew Dewar, the same reason given for Derek Page’s resignation as director of rugby at the school. White says he was frustrated by Dewar’s lack of support for the school’s rugby programme. White, who coached the Boks between 2004 and 2007, was ousted by the Bulls through a players’ revolution.

# Swimming: Aimee Canny and Pieter Coetzé are among six swimmers who achieved Commonwealth Games qualifying times on the second day of the SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. Canny achieved qualifying times in the 200-metre freestyle and the 100-metre breaststroke. Coetzé swam under the required mark in the 50 and 100-metre backstroke. Erin Gallagher, Rebecca Meder, Jessica Thompson and Ruard van Renen also added their name to the list of qualifiers. The Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to the second of August.

# Golf: South Africa’s Casandra Alexander leads a star-studded field featuring no fewer than five previous champions in the Joburg Ladies Open, teeing off at the Randpark Golf Club today. Alexander, who was the last local champion of the tournament in 2021 and the runner-up last year, is joined by compatriots including Danielle du Toit, Gabrielle Venter, and Nadia van der Westhuizen. Germany’s Celina Sattelkau is aiming for a third victory on the tour this season, with France’s Lois Lau also considered one of the favourites to win the title.

# And tennis: Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Barcelona Open due to a right wrist injury, sparking fears over his participation at the French Open. The 22-year-old Spaniard was due to play Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac today, but following medical tests, was forced to withdraw. This is the second time in three years injury has forced him to withdraw from the clay-court tournament. Alcaraz says he will start his recovery as soon as possible, hoping to be fit for upcoming tournaments in Madrid and Rome.

Stay tuned for more news………….