A late try by Stormers flanker Luke Watson denied Western Force their first Super 14 rugby win by the narrowest of margins in Perth on Friday. The South Africans were trailing 25-21 with just four minutes left when Watson crashed over to give them a 26-25 win over the luckless newcomers. The relief for the visitors was as palpable as the disappointment for the Force.

The Waikato Chiefs laid down the law to break through for their first win of the season over Super 14 newcomers Western Force at Perth’s Subiaco Oval on Friday. The Chiefs, fresh from two defeats in South Africa, turned an unproductive glut of first-half possesion into points during the second half to emerge 26-9 victors.

Korean KJ Choi set the pace early on the second day of the ,1-million Johnnie Walker Classic on Friday, racing to a four-shot lead after the morning rounds. The former powerlifter shot four birdies on the back nine and two on the front to come in at six-under par 66, making him 13-under after two rounds at The Vines Resort and Country Club.

South African captain Graeme Smith backed a get-tough approach to fight the racial abuse of players on Tuesday, saying cricket authorities needed to crack down on the problem the way soccer had. Smith, whose players have complained of racists taunts during their tour of Australia, said it was up to the International Cricket Council, the sports governing body, to rein in the problem.

Sri Lanka’s batting went from sizzle to fizzle as South Africa all but ended their hopes of playing in the limited-overs triangular series finals with a five-wicket win at the Waca ground on Tuesday. After an opening partnership of 94 off 97 balls between Sanath Jayasuriya and Jehan Mubarak, Sri Lanka lost their last eight wickets for 85 runs.

Seedings for the Hopman Cup mixed teams tournament which starts in Perth on Friday have been rendered meaningless by the late injury withdrawal of Australian Open champion Marat Safin. Safin, the world number 12 who was due to pair with Svetlana Kuznetsova to form the top-seeded Russian team for the eight-nation event, was forced to withdraw with tendinitis in his right knee.

Australian paceman Glenn McGrath on Wednesday defended his captain’s decision to delay declaring in the first Test against South Africa in Perth, saying an unusually flat wicket was to blame for South Africa escaping with a draw. The Australians had the Test by the throat going into the final day on Tuesday.

Australia set South Africa a near-impossible target of 491 to win in the first Test in Perth on Monday after declaring their second innings closed just before tea on the fourth day. Test newcomer Brad Hodge crafted an unbeaten 203 to steer the Australians to a massive 528 for eight before captain Ricky Ponting made the declaration.

South Africa dismissed Australia for just 258 on Friday to seize the initiative on the opening day of the first Test. Captain Ricky Ponting top-scored with 71 as Makhaya Ntini scythed through the Australian line-up with figures of 5-64, exposing the middle-order vulnerability which South Africa had predicted before the match.