Category News

Kirsty Muir of Scotland won the gold medal at the China Secret Garden Freeski Big Air World Cup.

The Aberdeen-born 21-year-old defeated home favorite Mengting Liu and Canadian Naomi Urness in the third jump, who had a commanding lead from the opening jump.

Muir’s victory marks her first Big Air World Cup victory of her career and the first podium for a GB Snowsport athlete this year.

With the finals rescheduled for Saturday morning due to approaching high winds, Muir took the lead with a flawless left double-14 safety that was supported by a third round right double-10 mute, which resulted in a final score of 174.50.

British heavyweight champion Frazer Clarke claims he is inspired by former opponent Fabio Wardley and believes he still has what it takes to win a world title.

On Saturday, the 2020 Olympian will face Jeamie TKV for the British title on BBC Two.

Before being eliminated in the first round of their rematch, Wardley, 34, and Clarke, 34, drew in March 2024 against one another in a match that is now the WBO world champion.

“Why can’t I if Fabio can do it if he has two arms and two legs like me, works hard like me, and is a fighter like me”? Clarke spoke to BBC Sport.

Wardley has made a remarkable transition from the under-resourced white-collar scene to world champion.

When Oleksandr Usyk, who still holds the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles, decided to leave his belt rather than face Wardley, he won the “interim” WBO title by defeating Joseph Parker in October.

There is “no anger toward Fabio, only congratulations,” Clarke claims despite regrets over his performances against Wardley, which required jaw surgery after the Saudi Arabian defeat.

The fighter from Burton-upon-Trent continued, “A hell of a story is where he came from to where he’s gone.” I will tell many people about Fabio’s story because he inspires me and inspires me. Therefore, there is respect.

Clarke is optimistic about a potential trilogy fight despite Wardley’s current search for an opponent for his first defense.

He will be searching for a bigger name and more money, to be honest. But “I’d never, I suppose,” Clarke continued.

Put yourself in a good position, never say never, a couple of fights. However, I believe that if he had the money to fight Oleksandr Usyk, he wouldn’t likely consider it.

On BBC iPlayer, you can watch until 18:00 before switching to BBC Two at 20:00.

The Clarke and TKV ringwalks are scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Rick Edwards will serve as the commentary panel’s presenter, Ronald McIntosh will serve as the lead commentator, and former world champion George Groves, a boxing legend, and unified super-bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney.

On BBC iPlayer starting at 18:00

From 20: 00 on BBC Two

Frazer Clarke describes his transition from Anthony Joshua fight security to having a chance to defend his vacant British heavyweight title on Saturday at Derby’s Vaillant Arena.

Never label me a thug: Clarke and TKV square off.

Cardiff Principality Stadium Date: Saturday, November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

On Saturday, South Africa and Wales close the world’s 2025 international program.

In the build-up, whether they should be playing at all was a hot topic.

It is a match organised outside World Rugby’s international window which has attracted criticism, with both squads missing players.

Siya Kolisi, the double World Cup winner of South Africa, has a passionate defense of the game’s validity.

“I am aware that many members of the Welsh public are asking, “Why are they playing this game against the Springboks?” ‘”, said Kolisi.

“When people question this, I don’t like it.” Whom are they supposed to play in order to improve themselves?

” People look at this stuff so negatively. You only get better when you play against the best teams, so you get better.

Wales are without 13 players who play in England and France but Kolisi believes this will give opportunities for others.

Although the first-choice players aren’t there, Kolisi said, “To create squad depth, you have to play against the best teams.”

When the other guys are unavailable, this is good. At least these guys playing now will have tasted this and had that experience.

Rassie Erasmus, the head coach of the Springboks, backed his captain’s assessment, claiming there are advantages to matches played outside of World Rugby’s window.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) say” challenging yourself against the best sides in the world boosts player and team development”.

The governing body added that the fourth international “boosts resources to invest directly back into Welsh rugby,” one of the main goals behind the fixture’s goal of raising money.

Not everyone shares these sentiments. There are contrasting opinions and former Wales internationals James Hook and Richie Rees have criticised the game.

In a match between the sixth round of the United Rugby Championship (URC), in which Welsh and South African domestic teams compete, Mark Jones, the Ospreys coach, says he doesn’t like it.

Ospreys are without 12 Wales squad players, including nine forwards, and Jones is forced to field a hooker in the back row, leaving the four professional Welsh sides.

Dragons and Cardiff have also had to sign emergency hookers for the weekend.

It will be no surprise the strength-in-depth between the two sides contrasts widely.

While Wales has only 306 caps, Erasmus can still call on 899 of his matchday squad.

With Tandy having to name a weaker side to face the world champions, the Springboks’ bench has more caps (374) than Wales’ entire 23-man squad.

South Africa are also without several high-profile players like world player of the year Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe.

With Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi in reserve, Kolisi is still in charge of the Springboks, which includes Jasper Wiese, Damian de Allende, Damian Willemse, and new fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

With only one backline replacement, scrum-half Cobus Reinach, Erasmus has chosen seven players for the bench.

That means Wales will face the full force of 15 Springbok forwards during the 80 minutes, with the famous” Bomb Squad “set to come on in the second half looking to overpower their hosts.

What else can Wales look forward to as success, if not victory?

Some home fans left the Principality Stadium last Saturday with a feeling of optimism following their 52-26 defeat to New Zealand, which may seem strange.

Hard to believe when Wales had suffered a 10th home defeat in 11 games and a 20th loss in 22 Test matches, while also shipping a half-century of points in Cardiff for the third time this year.

Any glimpses of recovery are snuffed out because of the ongoing crisis Welsh rugby has experienced over the past few years.

Tom Rogers, the winger who became the first Welsh player to score a hat-trick against New Zealand, scored four tries against the All Blacks last weekend.

” We saw what the Welsh team can do against New Zealand and it’s going to be tough, “said Kolisi.

The game was “amazing,” and only then did New Zealand win.

We are aware of what it’s like to play in Cardiff, but we haven’t had a great performance recently against Wales.

Flanker Kolisi, 34, is alluding to four successive Wales victories at the Principality Stadium between 2014 and 2018 in this fixture.

The Springboks have won their previous three games in the Welsh capital, winning 52-16 in 2023 and winning 45-12 the following year.

Wales won’t be undervalued, Kolisi claims.

“There’s so much history between the two teams, we respect the Welsh team and know how tough they are”, he said.

“We’ve seen what happens if we enter and be haughty,” the statement reads.

After winning their previous home matches against Japan, France, Italy, and Ireland, South Africa are aiming to win a second straight clean sweep of victories on their end-of-the-year tour.

The Springboks are unafraid to finish third in a row as the world’s top team, regardless of what happens.

In contrast, Wales are ranked 11th in the world with their only two wins this year coming against Japan.

At the beginning of his Springboks career, Kolisi recalls how South Africa found itself in a difficult situation.

We’ve also had this position before, when all the guys retired simultaneously in 2015 and the situation became untenable, Kolisi said.

” When you remove so much experience at the same time, you leave many holes.

“We lost to New Zealand]in 2017 with a score of 57-0.” It feels like it won’t end, which is terrible. Then coach Rassie]Erasmus] came in and we started to change things”.

Kolisi urged the Welsh people to keep their faith and that Wales will rise once more.

“I have no doubt that they will get past what they are going through,” Kolisi said.

“It’s a matter of when it will change. Put the team first and don’t point fingers if you all believe in the group.

I admire how the Welsh people continue to support the team because they “must not lose hope and heart.”

“They will come good”.

Coghlan, Southworth, Coleman, Coleman, Ratti, Morse, Morgan-Williams, Sheedy, and B Thomas are the replacements.

South Africa: D Willemse, Hooker, De Allende, Esterhuizen, Moodie, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Van der Berg, Steenekamp, Grobbelaar, Louw, Kleyn, Nortje, Kolisi (capt), Mostert, Wiese.

Mbonambi, Porthen, Ntlabakanye, Etzebeth, Van Staden, Dixon, Smith, Reinach as replacements.

Luc Ramos (France) as the referee

Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Pierre Brousset (France)

Eric Gauzins (France) TMO