Money men halt Springboks sale, Alcaraz gets emotional over facing Nadal for last time
South Africa’s richest man among those putting block on move by rugby bosses to cash in on Springboks, while Caitlin Clark makes more history
How we’ve reached the 21st century with this still being an issue is almost as mind-boggling as how England have managed to consistently underperform on the world stage, and yet here we are.
At least it gave the media and talking heads something to get worked up about when the international break was winding down. Still, it hasn’t been all quiet in the world of sport, so here’s what happened while you were sleeping.
Springboks sale halted
The postponement follows a request by Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s minister of sport, arts and culture, to “more fully brief government on the proposal”, SA Rugby said in a statement.
An attempt by the SARU to capitalise on the success of the national team, the deal has been opposed by some of the country’s top clubs, who are backed by the likes of South Africa’s richest man Johann Rupert, as well as Patrice Motsepe, the country’s only black billionaire, and pharmaceutical tycoon Stephen Saad.
This could be the last time
Saying something is going to be for the final time is always a dangerous thing. Twenty-one years ago, Australian pop star John Farnham was on his Last Time Tour of the country, and was still going strong more than a decade later.
So, while Carlos Alcaraz can get all dewy-eyed about the “difficult moment” of facing “idol” Rafael Nadal for the final time on Thursday, history suggests retirement is not always the end. The fact they are meeting in a money-spinning exhibition event in Saudi Arabia also takes the shine off things slightly.