Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the ring walk times, undercard results and round-by-round updates as Daniel Dubois takes on Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley.
The Junior Springboks have won the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Rovigo, Italy after a tense, bruising battle with arch-rivals New Zealand.
Tries from flanker Xola Nyali and fullback Gilermo Mentoe, along with 13 points from the boot of flyhalf Vusi Moyo, secured the Junior Boks a 23-15 win and a first Under 20 Championship triumph since 2012.
The Junior Boks opened the scoring in just the third minute through Nyali.
Setting the tone
@SAJuniorRugby score first in the opening five minutes of the #WorldRugbyU20s Championship Final
pic.twitter.com/QOAso8muQL
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 19, 2025
The Baby Blacks hit back with a try of their own 12 minutes later, courtesy of lock Jayden Sa.
The clash had a real final feel, with the South Africans not wasting an opportunity to take the points on offer. Moyo popped over two penalties to ensure South Africa went into the sheds with a 13-5 lead.
Both teams had a player sent off in the first half. New Zealand lost loosehead prop Sika Pole to a 20-minute red card for a shoulder charge on JJ Theron, while the Junior Boks had to go without centre Albie Bester for ten minutes after a no-arms clear out at the ruck.
The yellow is upgraded to a 20-minute red card 🟥
Stream #WorldRugbyU20s on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/d33kpGtPBe
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 19, 2025
The second half was equally tight, with flyhalves Rico Simpson and Moyo exchanging penalties. A crucial moment in the match came in the 62nd minute, when tournament top try-scorer Haashim Pead was denied a seventh of the championship after the TMO ruled an infringement at the scrum enabled Pead to score.
Mentoe’s late try was followed almost immediately by the Junior All Blacks’ first and only try by wing Maloni Kunawave. But it proved too little, too late as South Africa held on to take the honours in Italy.
The #JuniorBoks have done it!
#JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/QTxOZnSZux
— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 19, 2025
Saturday marked the Junior Boks’ first appearance in the final since 2014 and it is a repeat of the 2012 final in which South Africa beat six-time champions New Zealand at Newlands.
The Junior Boks were in rampant form throughout the championship in Italy, posting comprehensive wins over Australia, defending champions England and Scotland in the pool stage, followed by victory over Argentina in the semi-finals.
Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
The post Junior Boks, champions of the world appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Luke Humphries was furious with a fan whistling as he was going for a double during his first round game at the World Matchplay.
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI AT ROYAL PORTRUSH: For a man who finds so little fulfilment from winning, Scottie Scheffler is showing no willingness to entertain the alternative.
Emma Raducanu could face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the second round of the Washington Open if the pair win their opening matches.
An undisputed heavyweight champion will be crowned on Saturday in England
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the ring walk times, undercard results and round-by-round updates as Daniel Dubois takes on Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley.
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the ring walk times, undercard results and round-by-round updates as Daniel Dubois takes on Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley.
The Junior Springboks have won the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Rovigo, Italy after a tense, bruising battle with arch-rivals New Zealand.
Tries from flanker Xola Nyali and fullback Gilermo Mentoe, along with 13 points from the boot of flyhalf Vusi Moyo, secured the Junior Boks a 23-15 win and a first Under 20 Championship triumph since 2012.
The Junior Boks opened the scoring in just the third minute through Nyali.
Setting the tone
@SAJuniorRugby score first in the opening five minutes of the #WorldRugbyU20s Championship Final
pic.twitter.com/QOAso8muQL
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 19, 2025
The Baby Blacks hit back with a try of their own 12 minutes later, courtesy of lock Jayden Sa.
The clash had a real final feel, with the South Africans not wasting an opportunity to take the points on offer. Moyo popped over two penalties to ensure South Africa went into the sheds with a 13-5 lead.
Both teams had a player sent off in the first half. New Zealand lost loosehead prop Sika Pole to a 20-minute red card for a shoulder charge on JJ Theron, while the Junior Boks had to go without centre Albie Bester for ten minutes after a no-arms clear out at the ruck.
The yellow is upgraded to a 20-minute red card 🟥
Stream #WorldRugbyU20s on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/d33kpGtPBe
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 19, 2025
The second half was equally tight, with flyhalves Rico Simpson and Moyo exchanging penalties. A crucial moment in the match came in the 62nd minute, when tournament top try-scorer Haashim Pead was denied a seventh of the championship after the TMO ruled an infringement at the scrum enabled Pead to score.
Mentoe’s late try was followed almost immediately by the Junior All Blacks’ first and only try by wing Maloni Kunawave. But it proved too little, too late as South Africa held on to take the honours in Italy.
The #JuniorBoks have done it!
#JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/QTxOZnSZux
— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 19, 2025
Saturday marked the Junior Boks’ first appearance in the final since 2014 and it is a repeat of the 2012 final in which South Africa beat six-time champions New Zealand at Newlands.
The Junior Boks were in rampant form throughout the championship in Italy, posting comprehensive wins over Australia, defending champions England and Scotland in the pool stage, followed by victory over Argentina in the semi-finals.
Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
The post Junior Boks, champions of the world appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Luke Humphries was furious with a fan whistling as he was going for a double during his first round game at the World Matchplay.
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI AT ROYAL PORTRUSH: For a man who finds so little fulfilment from winning, Scottie Scheffler is showing no willingness to entertain the alternative.
Emma Raducanu could face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the second round of the Washington Open if the pair win their opening matches.
An undisputed heavyweight champion will be crowned on Saturday in England
Being a professional athlete is no easy feat. But when you’re also a mom, the balancing act becomes even more intense. Tennis stars like Naomi Osaka, Belinda Bencic, and Taylor Townsend know this firsthand. The American welcomed her son, Adyn Aubrey, on March 14, 2021. Talking about her daily grind, she once said, “Being a working mom, it’s not easy, but I try and make it worthwhile and always tell him I’m leaving for a reason.” Whenever she can, Townsend brings her son along with her on tour. That’s exactly what she did at the DC Open, where little AJ decided it was time to get to work himself.
Townsend often gives fans a glimpse into her sweet bond with AJ through her social media. Just a few months ago, she shared a clip on her Instagram stories where she was seen making toy dinosaurs with her son. In another post, the tennis star proudly waited for a thumbs-up from AJ after she showed off her new blonde hairdo on her special day. These little moments say a lot about their relationship and how much they enjoy spending time together, even during her busy tour life.
Their recent escapade is part hilarious and part adorable. In a video from the player’s lounge, Townsend was surprised to find her son behind a laptop, playing the part of a tournament admin. Sharing the moment on her Instagram story, she wrote, “AJ already taking over admin at @mubadalacitidcopen ” But the admin shift didn’t last long. In her next story, Townsend showed AJ asleep on her shoulder as they left the venue. Her caption said it all: “tennis-1, AJ-0”
It’s clear that having her son by her side means the world to the doubles champ. He’s a big part of Taylor Townsend’s tennis journey.
Through it all, Adyn has become more than just a travel companion. He’s her biggest motivation.
“Being a mother to AJ motivates me on different levels,” Taylor Townsend once shared. “Being a mom and just honestly, the strength and resilience that I have that I draw from knowing that the experience that I’m having and that I’m living is not normal. And it’s something that takes so much strength. It takes so much strength to be able to leave your child for weeks and weeks and weeks at a time. So I draw from that. Being a mother to Adyn also has given me a large amount of accountability.“
That drive keeps her going through tough matches and long tours. “Me looking at my son’s eyes and telling him, ‘Hey, I’m leaving, but I’m going to come back with a trophy…’ I mean that with everything in me because my word is everything to me, and that’s what I teach him.“
The 29-year-old has backed up those words with results. Since becoming a mom, she’s picked up two major doubles titles at the 2024 Wimbledon and the 2025 Australian Open. She’s also notched a few WTA 1000 doubles wins along the way.
Even when she falls short, the fight remains. At the French Open this year, she reached the quarterfinals in doubles and made the mixed doubles final with Evan King, before losing to Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. At Wimbledon, Townsend was looking to defend her doubles crown alongside Kateřina Siniaková, but their run came to an end in the semifinals against Jelena Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-wei.
Still, the American marches on, with AJ cheering her on and giving her purpose beyond the court. With every match, Taylor Townsend plays not just for herself but for the little admin-in-training by her side.
The post Taylor Townsend’s Son Steals the Spotlight With Adorable Tennis ‘Admin’ Role appeared first on EssentiallySports.
Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano is making headlines again. He is set to achieve a historic milestone this Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway. At 35, he’ll become NASCAR’s youngest driver to reach 600 Cup Series starts. This impressive feat surpasses Richard Petty, who set the previous record in 1973. Logano will be nearly six months younger than Petty was at his 600th start, despite averaging five fewer races per season. This makes him only the second driver aged 35 or under to reach this mark. However, not only this, there is one more reason why Logano is being discussed on social media platforms. What’s that? The way he turned a not-so-great regular season into a strong playoff run to win the championship, just as he did in 2024.
The Penske driver stands among an elite group. He’s one of just ten drivers to claim three Cup Series championships. His first title came in 2018. Then, in 2022, he entered rare territory by becoming a multi-time champion. Last year, his No. 22 team secured its third title in seven seasons, cementing Logano’s legendary status in NASCAR.
Joey Logano’s 2024 win surprised a lot of people. He won the championship, but his regular season wasn’t great. His average finish was 17.1 — the lowest ever for a NASCAR champion. One big win early in the season changed everything for him. It was a wild race that went into five overtimes. That win got him into the playoffs. It shows how one key win can matter more than being consistent all year.
But his path sparked a huge debate. Critics argued his championship exposed flaws in NASCAR’s playoff format. After Logano’s 2024 championship, he famously addressed playoff criticism. “I’ve got a pretty sweet trophy right now. I’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.”
Logano consistently defends NASCAR’s playoff format. He argues that, like in other major sports, true victory comes from flawless execution under playoff pressure, not just regular-season consistency. “The only reason why they don’t say this about other sports is because they didn’t change the playoff system.” He elaborated, stating, “It might help you. It’s the same way in NASCAR; the way we have the rules now is that you set yourself up much better.”
Joey Logano’s 2025 season is unfolding. People see similarities to his 2024 championship. He has one win so far, a big victory at the Würth 400 at Texas in early May. This win secured his playoff spot early. However, his overall consistent performance is still a topic of conversation. As of mid-July (after 23 races), he has 5 top-5 finishes and 8 top-10 finishes.
This familiar pattern has many fans on social media buzzing, with a sense of déjà vu. A Reddit user observed that Joey Logano frequently wins championships despite inconsistent regular-season performance, often running outside the top 10. The post quickly sparked a flurry of fan reactions and debate.
A fan suggested, Logano’s team masterfully uses the ‘win-and-you re-in’ rule. Secure one victory early, then pivot their focus entirely on excelling in the high-stakes final ten races. “That’s what this team does. They win a race, lock their spot in the playoffs, and then shift their focus to the last 10 races. That’s why they’ve won 2 of the last 3 championships .”
One fan noted Joey Logano’s up-and-down 2024 season. “Even during his championship last year, 10th-20th is where he mostly ran and should have been eliminated in the RO12. Bowman’s DQ is what saved him there. Otherwise, he won the right races at the right time to win the Cup.” The fan picked up key wins, and the specific incident where Alex Bowman‘s disqualification saved him happened in Logano’s 2022 title year. Still, the comment points out Logano’s knack for mastering the playoff system.
Another comment pinpoints Joey Logano’s strength with the Next Gen car, noting his excellence on flat 1-mile ovals and superspeedways where he consistently contends for wins. “The flat 1-mile ovals and super speedways are where the 22 team tends to shine and contend for wins. Other than that, they are pretty average everywhere else, it seems. They’ve struggled on the intermediates and road courses with the Next Gen car. Oddly enough, the 12 seems to be very strong at most intermediate tracks, though.” The fan observed Logano’s performance as merely ‘average’ on intermediates and road courses, contrasting it with teammate Ryan Blaney’s strong runs on intermediate tracks.
Fans also see Joey Logano’s strategy mirroring Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus’s past approach. “Chad Knaus said once they felt like they were going to make the chase, they switched to running R&D setups in the summer to try new things to get better. That is why the 48 always “struggled” in the summer. Then went on to win races at the end of the year.”
A fan criticized NASCAR’s playoff system, stating it can make season-long excellence seem less important. “It’s going to bother me when he backs into his fourth championship, and people start talking about him as some kind of equal to Jeff Gordon just based on championship count.”
Such criticism has even been voiced in the past. After Joey Logano won his 2024 championship, some big names in NASCAR spoke up about the playoff system. Jeff Gordon, a four-time champion from the old points era, just said, “Don’t get me started,” hinting at his strong feelings. Denny Hamlin, who still wants his first championship title, called the format a “crazy scenario” and a “wild ride.” Their comments highlighted the long-running debate about whether NASCAR’s current playoff style truly fits a sport traditionally focused on consistent, season-long performance.
After going through the winning pattern, do you think Logano could win again like last season, or do other names come to mind as more likely champions?
The post Fans Scared of Joey Logano as NASCAR Community Predicts Another “Cinderella Championship” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
Venus Williams is finally back in the mix. After months of suspense over her tennis career and potential retirement, the American legend has taken to the court ahead of her comeback bid at the Citi DC Open. Williams has been handed a wildcard entry into the tournament, which will be her first appearance in almost a year and a half. She was last seen in action at the Miami Open last year, where she lost in the first round against Diana Shnaider. Nonetheless, Williams looked in full steam ahead of her comeback and left fans divided in a viral practice clip.
Earlier this week, Williams trained with her younger sister, Serena, before traveling to Washington to play in the tournament scheduled next week. After reaching there, Venus Williams took no time to rest as she got to the court immediately and was engaged in an intense practice session.
“There’s something truly special about D.C.—the energy, the fans, the history. This city has always shown me so much love, and I can’t wait to compete there again,” Williams said, ahead of her comeback at the Citi Open. Even as the American legend got her preparations in full swing for the tournament, fans spotted something unusual about her, which left them divided.
Having been away from the court for a long time, one can expect some rustiness from any player. The same case occurred with the 45-year-old Williams, who was barely seen moving while being engaged in a rally. Her footwork was very unusual and something which the fans quickly pointed out as her practice clip went viral. One of the fans wrote, “She’s barely moving,” as she hit all the shots from a single spot instead of moving around the baseline.
she’s barely moving
— Kat (@idontmindk) July 19, 2025
With Williams on a prolonged absence from tennis, speculations surrounded her retirement from the sport. “Didn’t she retire,” asked one fan, after watching her practice video, in which Williams looked like a player who hadn’t played tennis for years. Despite Williams not announcing her retirement, many fans felt that she may have stepped away from tennis, leading fans to question if she had called it quits. On the other hand, one of the X users had a stern suggestion for the American legend. Wanting to take the rest of her career seriously, the fan suggested, “She better be playing doubles only I need her to be so serious.” The fan eagerly hoped that she would have one last laugh before retirement.
Meanwhile, a Naomi Osaka fan couldn’t wait to watch Williams back in action at the Citi Open. “Of course I’m rooting for my baby gurl @naomiosaka but Venus is the one I got my eyes on,” said the fan, as the practice clip of Williams got the fan deeply interested in Williams’ comeback bid. Lastly, a fan saw visible changes in Williams’ game after her appearance in over a year. The fan wrote, “I missed that wrist broken backhand,” as he hoped that she would have a strong comeback on her return to tennis.
The draw for the Citi Open will be released later today, as Williams awaits her first-round opponent. While this could be Venus’ final bid on the WTA Tour, Williams will hope that she finds joy on her return and makes a strong statement on her comeback.
The post Venus Williams’ Comeback Sparks Concern as Viral Practice Clip Leaves Fans Divided appeared first on EssentiallySports.
Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks are shifting gears for the Rugby Championship, with the head coach set to name a more settled and experienced squad after wrapping up a 55-10 win over Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday.
MORE: Kolisi bemoans ‘stop-start’ performance
The Springboks ran in nine tries to cap a clean sweep of the July schedule, but Erasmus admitted the constant rotation across four matches had disrupted rhythm and execution.
“We’re fairly happy if you look over the four games,” he said. “We scored close to 50 points in each match and apart from the first Italy test defended pretty well.
“Georgia were physical and disruptive but that’s not an excuse for us making so many errors. If we chop and change teams like we have as we’re building squad depth, you’ll lose rhythm.”
Erasmus confirmed a 36-man squad will be named on Tuesday for the start of the Rugby Championship, which kicks off with a clash against Australia at Ellis Park on 16 August.
“Within that squad there’ll be one or two guys that we experiment with, but the bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play,” the Bok mentor said.
ALSO: Van der Merwes star as Boks bully Georgia
Erasmus also shed some light on flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s underwhelming performance on Saturday, revealing that the player suffered a hip pointer injury in the warm-up.
“We weren’t quite sure if we should push him through the game, but he wanted to play but that’s not an excuse for the way he kicked at poles,” the Bok coach said.
“He ran it out and we like guys that try things and not just play safe and he’s certainly not of the guys that made the most errors.”
Photo by Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Rassie to scale back on ‘experiments’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.