Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 21 September 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with cricket: Old foe Australia arrives in South Africa today for a tour comprising three one-day matches and three Tests. The visitors just beat Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series, although yesterday’s final match was a nail-biter, with Australia winning by only one wicket from the penultimate ball. Meanwhile, the Proteas rested many of their regulars for the recent visit to Namibia. The first ODI between South Africa and Australia will be played in Durban on Thursday, and the first Test starts at the same venue on 9 October.  

More cricket: The Proteas Women head coach Mandla Mashimbyi says they have met their goals on their tour of Zimbabwe, including giving more players an opportunity. South Africa wrapped up their historic first-ever T20 International series against their neighbours with a 5-0 whitewash, with standout performances from captain Laura Wolvaardt and Miané Smit, who both scored centuries. Annerie Dercksen took a five-wicket haul in the third match. Mashimbyi says all players selected from now on are on audition for the 2029 World Cup.

# Rugby: The experienced pair of Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende will not feature in the Springboks’ one-off Test against Australia in Perth on Sunday. They have been released from camp after a demanding workload. Coach Rassie Erasmus says the travelling squad has sufficient cover for the match against the Wallabies. The match will be significant for both sides, with next year’s World Cup set to be hosted in Australia, where the Boks will face Italy in their opening clash in Adelaide on 3 October.

Meanwhile, All Blacks captain Ardie Savea will undergo surgery on his shoulder, which means he won’t likely play again before the start of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. He dislocated his shoulder during the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, which South Africa won 3-1. Savea’s backrow partner, Luke Jacobson, has already had surgery on a torn elbow tendon, while winger Caleb Clarke has a ruptured shoulder tendon. The All Blacks are preparing to face the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup Tests next month.

# And lastly, tennis: Germany, Britain and Spain have advanced to the Davis Cup Final Eight. US Open champion Alexander Zverev defeated Dino Prizmic to complete Germany’s 3-1 victory over Croatia. Britain also advanced, with doubles pair Henry Patten and Neal Skupski beating Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo to secure a 3-0 over over Ecuador. Spain defeated Chile 3-0. The three countries join hosts Italy, Canada, the Czech Republic, South Korea, and Austria in the Final Eight, set to be played in Bologna in November.

Stay tuned for more news………….