Springboks make interesting player call up
When the Springboks revealed their squad for the final two Rugby Championship games of the tournament, Willie le Roux was a noticeable absentee. The veteran fullback wasn’t listed as an injured player, and despite an injury to Aphelele Fassi, it appeared that he had been simply ‘dropped’ from the squad. Interestingly, though, it was confirmed on Sunday that Le Roux will now rejoin the national squad in Durban on Sunday, and train with the team until Wednesday as they prepare to face Argentina in their penultimate Rugby Championship match at Kings Park on Saturday. Willie le Roux only to stay with Springboks for a brief period Rassie Erasmus named a squad of 33 players for their two closing matches of the competition against the Pumas – the second of which will take place at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 4 October – but with the team set to switch into full throttle at training this week, he called up Le Roux to assist in their preparations. > The latest Springbok centurion will return to the Bulls following the conclusion of the team’s main training block on Wednesday, making him available for selection for the Pretoria side’s opening United Rugby Championship match against the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (at 14:00). “Willie is a member of our wider squad, and we feel it will benefit us to have him train with us early in the week,” said Erasmus. “We try to train the way we play, and by having him in camp it will allow us to improve the quality of our training sessions ahead of this vital match. “Every point will count in the next two games if we want to win the competition, so it’s essential that we get the most out of our training time to be as sharp as possible when we take the field.” Erasmus added: “I’d like to thank Johan Ackermann and the Bulls for releasing him to train with us, and we wish them and the other South African teams the best of luck for the opening round of the URC.” ALL TO PLAY FOR The Boks assembled in Durban last week Thursday to begin their preparations for Saturday’s encounter and had training sessions on Friday and Saturday to get the wheels in motion following their return from New Zealand a week ago. The Springboks are currently in second position on the Rugby Championship standings on 10 points, the same amount of log points as the third-placed All Blacks following their record 43-10 victory against their old foes in Wellington. The Wallabies top the table on 11 points, with the fourth-placed Pumas on nine points, meaning the title race is wide open going into the closing two rounds.
Georgia Hunter Bell takes silver and Keely Hodgkinson bronze in 800m final
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Georgia Hunter Bell pipped training partner and Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson to an 800 metres silver medal by one one hundredth of a second on the final night of action at the World Athletics championships in Tokyo. The British duo were in gold and silver medal position – led by Hodgkinson – on the home straight until Kenyan Lilian Odira surged past them both to take gold in a championship record 1:54.62, leaving the British runners to battle each other for second. Hodgkinson and Hunter-Bell had to wait before screens inside the stadium showed the latter, who claimed 1500m bronze on her Olympic debut in Paris last summer, had gotten over the line faster by the finest of margins in 1:54.90. Hunter Bell had debated racing at both distances at these championships before deciding to focus on the 800m, and was even holding camp room-mates with bronze medallist Hodgkinson. It was nevertheless a brave and determined showing for Hodgkinson, who just last month returned from a 376-day injury-plagued absence after becoming the Olympic champion. “I thought I had it, but she (Odira ) came past. I did my best to hold on,” Hodgkinson told BBC Sport. “In that last 10m my legs were falling off a little bit because the first lap was so quick. I ran it how I ran it and this is what the result is.” Hodgkinson added: “I was in it to win it and when you do go for the gold, you do risk coming off the podium, or second or third. I am proud of both of us. We both got a medal.” Hunter Bell said: “I wanted to show what I could do in the 800m and I knew I would have to come into it fresh if I wanted to get a medal,” she said. “Doing both is so hard. The competition is so good, so I am just really proud I put all my eggs in one basket, and am so happy, the fastest time I have ever run.” Injuries at these championships to 2024 world indoor pole vault champion Molly Caudery, Josh Kerr, who entered as the defending 1500m champion, 400 metres duo Samuel Reardon and – all but confirmed – Matt Hudson-Smith, the individual Olympic silver medallist last summer, had already dented British medal hopes, dialling up the pressure on Hodgkinson and Hunter Bell to deliver. In the end Great Britain finished with five medals – silvers for Hunter Bell, Jake Wightman (1500m) and Amy Hunt (200m) Hodgkinson’s bronze, and another of the same colour for 2023 heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson. The women’s 4×100 relay quartet of Dina Asher-Smith, Hunt, Desiree Henry and Daryll Neita were Great Britain’s last hope for a sixth medal but finished just off the podium in fourth. Asher-Smith said: “Obviously we wanted to come home with a gold medal, that’s all we ever aim for, but we will go back, analyse it, do all that stuff we are so great at doing. If we are giving it everything, there is never going to be disappointment, we will learn, move forward and increase it next time.”
World Athletics Championship: Hocker comes back with vengeance to take gold
The USA’s Cole Hocker comes back after being disqualified from the men’s 1500m to win gold in the 5000m with Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli taking silver and France’s Jimmy Gressier claiming bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. FOLLOW LIVE: World Athletics Championships Available to UK users only.
Fiji falls to Solomon Islands – FBC News
[Photo Credit: OFC] The Fiji futsal team suffered a 5-2 defeat to the Solomon Islands Kurukuru in their second match of the OFC Men’s Futsal Cup at the Vodafone Arena. Despite the backing of a vocal home crowd, Fiji was unable to contain the relentless attacks from the Solomon Islands. The Kurukuru dominated the match from the opening whistle, with Fiji’s captain, Kitione Baleloa, being forced to make a number of impressive saves to keep his team in the game. Article continues after advertisement However, the constant pressure from the Solomon Islands eventually broke through, and they took a commanding lead into halftime. Fiji started the second half with renewed purpose, creating several chances, but the Solomon Islands’ defense remained solid. While Fiji managed to find the back of the net twice in the final minutes with goals from Nikil Chand and Filipe Baravilala, it was not enough to overcome the deficit. The team will now look to regroup ahead of its next match against Tuvalu tomorrow at 7pm. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
World Athletics Championships live: Keely Hodgkinson beaten to 800m gold as George Mills goes in 5000m final
Men’s 5000m final Next on the track, it’s the men’s 5000m final. Britain’s George Mills is up against a stacked field full of talent, including Grant Fisher, Cole Hocker and Jakob Ingebrigtsen among them… Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:52 British duo beaten by Kenya’s Odira Hodgkinson and Hunter Bell pose together for photos, before going to the side of the track to chat to family. Hodgkinson ultimately did what she set out to do – running a fast 800m – but it wasn’t quite enough. An injury-disrupted season probably made the difference in those final metres. Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:48 Lilian Odira beats Keely Hodgkinson to gold! What a run by the 26-year-old Odira, clocking a championship record 1:54.62. Wow. Hunter Bell ran a personal best 1:54.90 and Hodgkinson finished in 1:54.91, pipped by her teammate in a photo finish. Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:42 Lilian Odira beats Keely Hodgkinson to gold! Hodgkinson runs out of puff in the final 50m, and Kenya’s Lilian Odira bursts around the outside to take gold! Georgia Hunter Bell arrives late to pinch silver, and Hodgkinson settles for bronze. Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:39 Women’s 800m final Keely kicks into the lead with 200 to go! Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:38 Women’s 800m final Moraa leads through the bell, 55.73 – it’s quick. Hodgkinson joins her around the bend… Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:37 Women’s 800m final They’re off, and Mary Moraa takes to the front with Hodgkinson on her shoulder. It’s a quick first 200… Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:37 Women’s 800m final Here we go, then! The eight finalists are ready to start in a floodlit Tokyo stadium. Expect Hodgkinson to go out fast and try to blow everyone away. But Hunter Bell and the three Kenyans will be hard to shake off… Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:36 World Athletics Championships Hodgkinson, Hunter Bell and the rest are out and getting ready. Nearly time. “Keely wants a fast race,” says her coach Jenny Meadows. “If the first 400 isn’t the pace she wants, she’ll have to grind it out in the final lap.” Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:32 World Athletics Championships Here’s the official startlist for this 800m final: Tokyo Athletics Championships – women’s 800m final startlist (iaaf.org) Lawrence Ostlere21 September 2025 11:27
Who will be the next Kaizer Chiefs coach? Jose Riveiro or Pitso Mosimane?
Kaizer Chiefs are finding themselves in a position of looking for a new head coach just one month into the new season. The relationship between the club and Nasreddine Nabi appeared to have reached an end, as the Tunisian coach is currently not part of the squad. His assistants, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze were in charge of Amakhosi’s last match. Kaizer Chiefs have since issued a statement amid Nabi’s exit rumours. The Glamour Boys confirmed that the coach was still in charge of the side, where talks were ongoing regarding Nabi’s future. Will Nabi leave Kaizer Chiefs? According to reports, Nabi is not out of options if Chiefs decide to sack him. Clubs like Raja Casablanca, Étoile du Sahel, Espérance de Tunis, Club Africain, MC Oran and two clubs in Egypt reportedly approached the Kaizer Chiefs head coach this week. Which coach will replace Nabi? Two top coaches who have been tipped to take over at Chiefs are Pitso Mosimane and Jose Riveiro. Both coaches have won over five trophies in the PSL and know more about South African football than Nabi and his assistants. Mosimane has not been coaching since he left Iran earlier this year. The 60-year-old ex-Al Ahly boss has expressed his interest in coaching Amakhosi before, but money could be a problem, given Jingles does not come cheap. Kaizer Chiefs might approach Riveiro Jose Riveiro won five trophies at Pirates before he left for Al Ahly. The Spaniard made a promise to Bucs fans that he will never coach another South African team, despite his association with Pirates. If Amakhosi can table a good offer for the Spaniard, will he break the promise? Time will tell. Kaizer Chiefs appear to be going with Ben Youssef for now as an interim coach, but no decision has been taken on Nabi. Will Riveiro join Chiefs?
Nasova scores double as Fiji defends PNC title – FBC News
[Photo Credit: Fiji Rugby] The Flying Fijians have successfully defended their Pacific Nations Cup title with a hard-fought 33-27 win over Japan in Utah. Ba man Joji Nasova scored two back-to-back tries in the match which was also the last two tries for the team. Japan started strong, putting two quick tries on the board. Article continues after advertisement [Photo Credit: Fiji Rugby] However, Fiji responded after 20 minutes with a try from Mesake Vocece, who capitalized on a break to bring the score to 10-7. Moments later, a turnover near Japan’s territory allowed Simione Kuruvoli to create an opportunity for Inia Tabuavou to score on the side. The momentum continued in Fiji’s favor, with Tevita Ikanivere and Joji Nasova adding two more tries to take a commanding 24-10 lead at halftime. After the break, Nasova scored his second try, extending Fiji’s lead to 33-10. However, Japan staged a fierce comeback, scoring two quick tries and a penalty to narrow the gap to a nail-biting 33-27. Despite the late surge from Japan, Fiji held on to secure the victory and the championship. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Emma Hayes and Millie Bright lead tributes for ‘one of the best humans’ Matt Beard
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has hailed Matt Beard as “one of the best humans” and a “champion in the women’s game” after his sudden death at the age of 47. It was announced on Saturday night that the former Liverpool Women’s manager Beard had died – a month on from leaving his most recent position at Burnley. Beard enjoyed a hugely successful managerial career, winning two Women’s Super League titles with the Reds and taking charge of Chelsea and West Ham following his first role at Millwall Lionesses in 2008. Chelsea said in a statement that Beard “helped shape Chelsea Women” during his three-year tenure and credited him for “laying much of the foundations” ahead of Hayes replacing him in 2012 before she embarked on a trophy-laden spell. United States manager Hayes led the tributes towards the popular figure, she wrote on her Instagram story: “Can’t quite compute this. Absolutely one of the best humans. “Always available for a chat, one of the good guys. A champion in the women’s game and a top bloke. So gutted for his family.” Emma Hayes leads the tributes to Matt Beard following his sudden passing (Emma Hayes / Instagram) Chelsea and England defender Millie Bright described herself as “absolutely heartbroken” in an image on her Instagram story which was accompanied with two broken red heart emojis. Two-time European Championship winner Bronze featured under Beard during the 2013 and 2014 WSL triumphs at Liverpool, she said: “Can’t believe it.” Beard’s older brother Mark, who played for Millwall and Sheffield United, wrote on X: “It is with great sadness that our beautiful Matthew Beard has passed away tonight at 7.28pm. “He is a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was the most amazing, caring man who was loved by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him. We will love you forever Matt Matt.” Former England centre-back Gilly Flaherty was Beard’s captain at West Ham during their run to the FA Cup final at Wembley in 2019. “Absolutely devastated and lost for words at the news of losing Beardy tonight,” Flaherty said on Instagram. “A man I thought so highly of, who in all honesty I would’ve followed around the world to play for. The best manager and friend I could’ve ever had asked to have in my life. “Rest easy Beardy and give my dad a big squeeze please. Love you gaffer.” Natasha Dowie played under Beard on three separate occasions, starring for his title-winning Liverpool team, following him to Boston Breakers in America and retiring after a loan spell back with him at the Merseyside club. “In complete shock and sadness. All my thoughts are with Debbie, Harry and Ellie,” Dowie wrote on social media. “From playing for you at the age of 17 to finishing my career with you at LFC. You were one of a kind Beardie. Will miss your cheeky smile, hello darling and big hug. RIP my friend.” Goalkeeper Carly Telford featured under Beard at Chelsea, she said: “Devastated, heartbroken. There are not enough words right now.” Beard’s last significant role was a four-year spell back at Liverpool where he guided them back into the WSL and helped nurture the ability of young Canadian footballer Olivia Smith before his departure earlier this year. Attacker Smith this summer moved to Arsenal in a move which made her the first £1m women’s footballer. “Wouldn’t be where I am without you,” Smith said on her Instagram story with a love heart emoji and two pictures of her with Beard. PA
World Rowing Championships 2025: Women’s quad lead way as GB boats progress in Shanghai
The GB men’s quad – Cedol Dafydd, Callum Dixon, Matthew Haywood and Rory Harris – have had a superb season becoming European champions and winning the World Cup in Lucerne and they continued that form, dominating the second half of their heat to take their place in Tuesday’s semi-finals. Ireland’s Ronan Byrne, Brian Colsh, Adam Murphy and Andrew Sheehan failed to qualify. It is a new combination in the women‘s pair for Great Britain and Lizzie Witt and Jade Lindo acquitted themselves well, coming third in their heat behind Serbia and Chile but fast enough to claim one of the six fastest-loser places in the semi-finals. Lindo was introduced to rowing through the Discover Your Gold talent ID programme and soon joined the GB Start pathway at Twickenham Boat Club. Witt was inspired to take up the sport when she went to see the 2012 Olympics at Eton Dorney. This is her first season of full-time rowing. Ireland’s Emily Hegarty and Aoife Casey failed to progress. In the men’s pair, James Vogel and Harry Geffen stormed off the start and were leading with 250m to go. The Leander club duo were then caught by the experienced Spanish pair of Jaime Canalejo and Javier Garcia, along with Sweden. Third place meant an anxious wait but they too progressed into Tuesday’s semi-finals as one of the quickest non-automatic qualifiers. The County Fermanagh pair of Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney, representing Ireland, made it through as an automatic qualifier after finishing second behind Romania in their heat. This was their first race since the Olympic final in Paris where they finished sixth but they are the defending bronze medallists from the World Championships two years ago.
Ruben Amorim handed Man United lifeline thanks to 20 minutes of Chelsea chaos
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more The Theatre of Dreams maybe needed a miracle, and it got one courtesy of a nightmare for Chelsea stopper Robert Sanchez as Manchester United eased the pressure on boss Ruben Amorim. A storm was brewing over Old Trafford as the world champions came to town, the deluge of rain falling on a grey day in Manchester summing up the situation that the Portuguese found himself in this week. However, in the end the bizarre weather only foretold an equally ridiculous match, with the game eventually defined by a whirlwind opening 14 minutes that saw Sanchez sent off before United captain Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring. open image in gallery Robert Sanchez’s early red card came to define a crazy match (Getty Images) Amorim’s side started quickly but they were given a gift five minutes in as Benjamin Sesko rose highest to win a header that played Bryan Mbeumo clean through, with the winger taking it past the onrushing Sanchez before being scythed down. There were few complaints from the visiting side as Enzo Maresca brought on defensive reinforcements, but they weren’t able to hold on for long as that rain was accompanied by a deluge of United attacks, the visitors barely able to get out of their own half before Fernandes tapped in from close range to open the scoring on 14 minutes. Old Trafford was roaring and there was a sense that the afternoon could turn into a rout, with Chelsea’s misery compounded as they were forced to bring off Cole Palmer just after the 20-minute mark after their talisman suffered a recurrence of the groin injury that had kept him out of action until a week ago. open image in gallery Cole Palmer is the third Chelsea played subbed in the opening 20 minutes (PA) And yet it was to get worse for the visitors, with a weak Reece James clearance eventually leading to United’s second, as Harry Maguire’s header set up a tap-in for Casemiro at the far post. But if many inside Old Trafford began to ask themselves just how many goals United could put past Chelsea, they were guilty of forgetting United’s capacity to make life difficult for themselves. Casemiro, often the guilty party in United’s moments of rashness, went from hero to zero as he became the second player sent off, dragging down Santos near the box to earn himself a second yellow. It meant that the match received the “honour” of being the first in Premier League history to see two [or more] goals, red cards and substitutions within the opening 45 minutes, in what is a suitable statistic to sum up a bizarre afternoon. And it was only to get more tense from there, with neither side really able to dominate the second half with the teams once again level in players, but it was the visitors who struck the next blow, Trevoh Chalobah’s impressive late header having felt somewhat inevitable given United’s performances in recent weeks. open image in gallery Casemiro’s goal appears to set United on course for victory (PA Wire) open image in gallery Only for his red card to give Chelsea hope (AP) But if each manager could take little from the previous 80 minutes, perhaps the final 10 was more helpful. The recently crowned world champions toiled as they searched for an equaliser, with the earlier removal of Palmer having felt like a watershed moment in terms of the likelihood of a Chelsea comeback. There were jeers from the home crowd that were almost tantamount to celebrations, as if the withdrawal of Palmer was almost as positive as scoring a goal themselves. Maresca will likely be asking himself questions, primarily regarding why his team got off to such a poor start and why they struggled to create clear-cut chances in the second half once both sides were down to 10 men. The first could be shrugged off to bad luck; the second is a little more worrying for a side that currently has more questions than answers. For, despite their status as world champions, the fit of many players in their squad remains unclear, with little to show in attack once Palmer is removed from the equation. But while Chelsea’s bloated squad and boardroom issues combine with Maresca’s luck of clarity about his “best” 11, the club remain a world away from the misery that has befallen Old Trafford in recent years, so whatever questions the Italian has, he’ll have plenty of time to find an answer. His opposite number has less time to prove himself, and while Amorim may have learned something about the character of his players today, he emphasised that his team need to “return to that urgency” away at Brentford next week. His choice of words was perhaps fitting in a week where reports suggested that the Portuguese could have just three games to save his job. open image in gallery Ruben Amorim may have been given a reprieve but still faces a fight to save his job (Reuters) Amorim admitted that his