RUGBY

Allegations of illegal scrumming have set the scene for a dramatic front-row battle in the ABSA Currie Cup semifinal between the Blue Bulls and the Cheetahs on Saturday. Two provincial rugby coaches from Boland and the Falcons have accused the Cheetahs of scrumming illegally all season long. To add to the expectations, Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has indicated that the Free State side will be out to target Blue Bulls prop Rayno Gerber in the set scrums.

CHELSEA

Chelsea began proceedings in England's High Court aimed at recovering £16 million they paid for John Mikel Obi. The Nigerian midfielder joined Chelsea in June 2006 with the London club paying £4million to Norwegian club FC Lyn Oslo and a further 12 million to Manchester United, who had a prior agreement to sign the player. Chelsea are claiming all of the money back from Lyn as they now believe that the player was not under contract to the Norwegian club at the time.

CRICKET

Ryan McLaren has withdrawn from the South African Standard Bank ODI squad to play against Kenya and Bangladesh later this month due to Kent not releasing him from his contract. Cricket SA are not going to replace him in the Standard Bank ODI squad for the two matches against Kenya as 13 players should be sufficient.

GOLF

Local favourite Dion Fourie putted well to set the early clubhouse target with a five-under-par 67 in the opening round of the inaugural BMG Classic. The Benoni pro tops a crowded leaderboard at the Ebotse Golf and Country Estate alongside Pretoria’s Jaco van Zyl.