A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Matfield captains Springboks
RUGBY:Lock Victor Matfield was named yesterday as the South Africa captain for his country's grand slam tour of the Britain and Ireland next month.
Matfield, 33, who has captained his country 11 times, replaces regular skipper John Smit who was ruled out of the tour following neck surgery.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said Matfield was the logical choice to replace Smit. He has filled the role in the past with distinction and has led the Bulls and Blue Bulls to a string of titles and has been Springbok vice-captain for a number of years. .
Flanker Juan Smit was named as the vice-captain. The tour kicks off against Ireland on November 6th with the world champions then playing Wales, Scotland and England on consecutive weekends.
Gatland could coach Lions
RUGBY: Warren Gatland will be free to coach the Lions on their 2013 tour of Australia after it emerged his new Wales contract contains a timely five-month break clause.
Gatland plans to appoint a junior coaching team to lead Wales on their tour to Japan that summer after the Welsh Rugby Union agreed he could take a sabbatical.
The former Ireland manager insisted the Lions did not feature in negotiations over his four-year deal and that he just wanted a chance to spend time back in New Zealand.
But Gatland is considered to be one of the leading candidates to take charge of the Lions in 2013 – and he refused to rule out the possibility.
“Part of my contract negotiations included being able to spend some time back in New Zealand,” said Gatland. “Wales have agreed that for 2013, while the Lions are touring and Wales play Japan, I could appoint some younger coaches which would enable me to spend four or five months back in New Zealand.
“For a Lions team to be successful is incredibly hard. It was a fantastic experience (in 2009) and an honour and a privilege to be involved with the players. To do it again? We’ll just have to see.”
Gascoigne arrested
SOCCER:Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne spent Thursday night in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of drugs offences, police sources said yesterday.
Gascoigne, 43, was detained on suspicion of possessing a class A substance following a police search at a property in North Tyneside along with another man who was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. Both were later released on bail without charge. Gascoigne was warned just days ago that he faced jail after admitting drink driving.
Sponsors cool on Semenya despite her success
ATHLETICS: Caster Semenya is finding it hard to get sponsors despite being a world champion, her coach said yesterday.
“It is tough for Caster,” Michael Seme said. “If you look overseas you will see other world champions featuring in a lot of advertising campaigns and you see their faces up on billboards but that doesn’t happen for Caster.”
Semenya, who underwent gender verification tests after winning 800 metres gold at the world championships in August 2009, did not have as much financial backing as she would have liked, Seme said.
“Caster does receive help from Nike while the Department of Sports and Recreation and the University of Pretoria help out with her education but there isn’t spare money,” Seme said.
“For instance, if she requires special equipment she can’t just go out and get it.”
Reports in South Africa about Semenya’s financial situation have sparked a campaign by a group of fans to raise one million rand (€103,000) for the runner by December. Semenya, who is studying towards a sports science degree at the University of Pretoria, pulled out of the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi because of a back injury.
