Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 12 May 12:30 pm

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

# We begin with soccer: Local governing body SAFA will soon begin the search for a new Bafana Bafana head coach. Hugo Broos, who is now in his fifth and final year with the national team, has indicated he will step down after the World Cup, starting in North America next month. The chairperson of SAFA’s Technical Committee, Jack Maluleke, says they aim to have the new coach ready immediately after the World Cup:

# Rugby: Former head coach Graham Henry had been appointed an All Blacks selector. The 79-year-old led New Zealand to World Cup glory in 2011, and they won 88 of the 103 matches with him in charge. Current head coach Dave Rennie says they are excited to bring Henry in as he has some very strong opinions on players, and they had some brilliant conversations. The All Blacks’ season starts with Tests against France, Italy and Ireland, followed by a seven-match tour of South Africa.

# Cricket: Delhi Capitals defeated Punjab Kings by three wickets to remain in contention of making the playoffs in the Indian Premier League. Captain Shreyas Iyer smashed an unbeaten 59 as Punjab scored 210 for five. Axar Patel and David Miller then scored 56 and 51, respectively, and shared a 64-run fifth-wicket stand, to power Capitals to victory with an over to spare. This is Punjab’s fourth successive defeat, keeping them fourth on the table.

# Tennis: World number one Jannik Sinner is through to the Italian Open round of 16, continuing his bid for a clean sweep of the ATP Masters titles. The local player defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin to set up a clash with his compatriot, qualifier Andrea Pellegrino, who beat American Frances Tiafoe. In the women’s draw, Poland’s Iga Swiatek eased past Japan’s Naomi Osaka to make the quarterfinals. There were also victories for American Coco Gauff, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and Russian eighth-seed Mirra Andreeva.

Meanwhile there is concern over world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus’ fitness shortly before the French Open. She required treatment during her third-round match against Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the Italian Open and eventually lost in three sets. This was Sabalenka’s second defeat in three matches after also losing to Hailey Baptiste of America in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open in Spain. She hopes to be fit when the claycourt Grand Slam starts in Paris on the 24th.

Stay tuned for more news………….