TUESDAY, 12.30PM:
THE South African golf tour on Monday received a massive R2-million boost from Dimension Data, which decided to pull out of the European Tour and concentrate on the local circuit.
Chairman of the PGA Tour in Southern Africa Arnold Mentz said the development is one of the greatest in South African golf in recent years.
“They could easily have cut the prize money, but they have decided to keep it at R2-million and I personally think this is the greatest decision for South African golf,” he said.
“It means that our own guys can play for a really large purse,” added Mentz.
SPORT BRIEFS
SHOSHOLOZA BACK NATIONAL middleweight champion Giovanni “Shosholoza” Pretorius will make a comeback to the ring when he defends his national title against Roland Francis at the Carousel on Tuesday night.
BORDER CITES VENTER THE Border Rugby Football Union (BRFU) confirmed on Monday that they have cited Free State centre Brendon Venter for foul play. The BRFU alleged Venter elbowed Russell Benett when he tackled him off the ball. Russell now needs 15 stitches to cuts on his mouth and chin. The case will be heard on Tuesday.
INJURIES HIT FSFREE STATE cricket selectors had to rope in inexperienced players for their clash with Eastern Province at Springbok Park on Wednesday because of injuries. Casualties in the Free State side include Louis Wilkinson (hamstring), Boeta Dippenaar (knee), Chris Craven (ankle) and Johan van der Wath.
THE TEAMS:
FREE STATE: Gerhardus Liebenberg (captain), Andre Volsteedt, David Hemp, kosie Venter, Nicky Boje, Morne van Wyk, Herman Bakkes, Phillip, Radley, Wiaan Smit, Henk Botha, Chrisjan Vorster, Sarel Cilliers.
EASTERN PROVINCE: Kepler Wessels (captain), Gavin Victor, Louis Koen, Dave Callaghan, Mark Rushmere, Ashwell Prince, Lulama Mazikazana, Eldine Baptiste, Meyrick Pringle, Shafiek Abrahams, Momantau Hayward, James Brynt (12th man).
VOS TO OZ GAUTENG Lions flanker Andre Vos is likely to join Queensland Rugby Union. “I have already accepted the offer on condition that the Gauteng Lions do not come up with a counter offer [within two weeks] and that South African Rugby Football Union releases me,” he said. It is believed he will receive more than R200 000 to play for Queensland in 15 games — Super 12 matches and three warm-up matches. He will also get an additional R2 600 a game in match fees.
ZIM BEATS NZ The second and final test match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand ended in a draw on Monday. Needing 286 from 68 overs to win after Zimbabwe declared their second innings at 227 for eight, New Zealand were 275 for eight at the close after their run chase faltered in the last hour.
SA MAN’S RECORD BEATEN SERGE GIRARD of France on Monday claimed that he broke the US cross-country walking record from Los Angeles to New York City, previously held by South African John Lee Shepard. He clocked 52 days 23 hours and 24 minutes against Shepard’s 53 days 12 hours and 15 minutes for the 4 628km walk.