Sports News 12:30
BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 22 March 12:30 pm
Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:
# We start with rugby: Four uncapped players have been included in the Springbok Women’s squad to face Spain in a one-off Test in Valladolid tomorrow. Xoliswa Khuzwayo and Anathi Qolo are in the starting line-up, while Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen and golfing great Ernie Els’s daughter, Samantha, have been included on the bench. Coach Louis Koen says the key is to get as many players as possible to experience international rugby heading into the World Cup qualifying tournament in Madagascar in May:
Meanwhile, Welsh centre George North is set for months on the sideline after rupturing an Achilles tendon in his final Test. The 31-year-old will join French club Provence after the current season, and will probably not be able to play for Welsh team Ospreys again. North limped off the field in the dying moments of Saturday’s last-round Six Nations match against Italy which the Azzuri won 24-21, leaving Wales winless this year. He said on social media not everyone gets a fairytale ending. North played 121 Tests for his country.
# Tennis: France’s Gael Monfils has booked his spot in the second round of the Miami Open. The 37-year-old defeated Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic in his 12th appearance in the tournament. Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Australian qualifier Adam Walton in straight sets. In the women’s draw, Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina came from a set down to defeat former world number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in three sets. Top ten players Maria Sakkari of Greece and Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia are also through to the third round.
Meanwhile, the WTA has begun a review of its rules that could see players with doping offences return to the circuit with special rankings in future. The governing body of women’s tennis said the change is considered following the high-profile case of Simona Halep. The Romanian made her comeback at the Miami Open with a wildcard after her four-year doping ban was cut to nine months by sport’s highest court. Players banned for doping offences do not get protected rankings on their return and often have to rebuild their careers from scratch.
# And finally, Soccer: Gauteng police have launched a manhunt following the shooting of former Bafana Bafana coach Stanley Tshabalala. He was shot and injured during a burglary at his home in Centurion, Tshwane. Tshabalala was the first Bafana Bafana head coach when South Africa was readmitted into international soccer in 1992. He also served as Mamelodi Sundowns coach and has gone on to occupy various prominent positions within Orlando Pirates since 2008. Police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo, says Tshabalala is recovering in the hospital:
Stay tuned for more news………….