Oct 26, 2023, 08:30 AM South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been cleared to play in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final, the sport’s governing body, World Rugby, said on Thursday, after insufficient evidence was found that he used discriminatory language towards England flanker Tom Curry. Mbonambi, the only specialist hooker in the South Africa squad
Oct 26, 2023, 08:07 AM Open Extended Reactions South Africa have named Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk in the starting team for the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand and have opted for a 7-1 split on the bench. The bold selection call sees South Africa opt not to include a scrum-half on
Timothy Bradley Jr. Oct 26, 2023, 07:41 AM ET Open Extended Reactions We’ve seen this before … but this time is different. Boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a 10-round boxing match on Saturday (ESPN+ PPV, 2 p.m. ET). An MMA champion challenging a boxing champion —
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been on the receiving end of some harsh criticism.© AFP Following his side’s disappointing defeat to Afghanistan in the World Cup, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from several current and former players. Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets on Monday, their
Sam Marsden Moises Llorens Oct 25, 2023, 04:42 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Barcelona have apologized to Vinícius Júnior after a club director posted on social media that the treatment he receives is “not racism” and that he deserves a “slap for being a clown.” Miquel Camps, who is on Barça’s board, made the comment
Amara Sophia Elahi/BBC By Amara Sophia Elahi and Kris Holland BBC News, Northamptonshire There is “absolutely nothing holding women back” from careers in motorsport, a deputy team principal has said. Stephanie Carlin of Rodin Carlin – a British manufacturer in the Formula 1 feeder series Formula 2 – said a lack of “ability” was not
Andrew Lopez, ESPNOct 26, 2023, 12:34 AM ET Open Extended Reactions SAN ANTONIO — Despite his best efforts in the fourth quarter, Victor Wembanyama was on the losing end in his debut Wednesday night. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving each hit clutch late 3-pointers for the Dallas Mavericks as they held on for the 126-119
Alex Scarborough, ESPN Staff WriterOct 25, 2023, 02:54 PM ET Close Covers the SEC. Joined ESPN in 2012. Graduate of Auburn University. Open Extended Reactions BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU coach Brian Kelly said he’s encouraged the SEC to adopt headset communication, but that his efforts have ultimately gone nowhere. Kelly is frustrated that they
Oct 25, 2023, 03:34 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers on Friday in Arlington, Texas. Gallen, 28, is 2-2 with a 5.24 ERA in four games this postseason. He surrendered nine runs on 14 hits — including five homers
Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPNOct 25, 2023, 05:48 PM ET Close Marcel Louis-Jacques joined ESPN in 2019 as a beat reporter covering the Buffalo Bills, before switching to the Miami Dolphins in 2021. The former Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer won the APSE award for breaking news and the South Carolina Press Association award
ESPN News Services Oct 25, 2023, 05:22 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker told USA Today on Wednesday that he is retiring, a decision that comes two days after the team lost to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series. A news conference is scheduled for Thursday.
Oct 25, 2023, 04:22 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Brock Purdy is in the concussion protocol, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday, jeopardizing the second-year quarterback’s status for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Shanahan told reporters Purdy started having symptoms Monday night on the plane ride home from Minneapolis after the Niners’
Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 25, 2023, 05:48 PM ET Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions PARIS — They’ve spent millions over the past couple of seasons, had superstars come and
Kendra Andrews, ESPNOct 25, 2023, 06:17 PM ET Open Extended Reactions The NBA All-Star Game is going back to its original format this season in Indianapolis, the league announced Wednesday. The game, which will take place on Feb. 18 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, will feature an Eastern Conference team and a Western Conference team, comprising
Oct 25, 2023, 03:00 PM ET Open Extended Reactions For the second straight month, the UFC is shuffling its pay-per-view deck due to injury. This particular instance hits hard, too, given the names involved and the circumstances. Jon Jones tore his pectoral tendon and is out of his scheduled UFC heavyweight title defense against Stipe
Alex Scarborough, ESPN Staff WriterOct 25, 2023, 12:00 PM ET Close Covers the SEC. Joined ESPN in 2012. Graduate of Auburn University. Open Extended Reactions DURING A TEAM meeting this summer, Florida center Kingsley Eguakun watched as a clip from last season’s opening game against Utah popped onto the screen. That game — beating the
Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 25, 2023, 02:48 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions Ben Youngs will play his final Test match for England on Friday in the Rugby World
Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 25, 2023, 12:45 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions PARIS, France — Marcus Smith will start at fullback for England in the bronze medal match