Odira, Jepkemoi stroll into Commonwealth Games semis as Chebet slips …

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 27, 2026 – World champion Lilian Odira and her fellow countrywoman, Janet Jepkemoi easily booked their tickets to the semi-finals of the women’s 800m at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Odira clocked 2:01.05 to win Heat 2 of the one-lap race, crossing the finish line ahead of Welshwoman Isabelle Boffey, who timed 2:01.53 — having led until the last bend.

Kelly-Ann Beckford of Jamaica clocked 2:01.63 to finish third. sport-newz.biz

Odira’s victory came a few minutes after Jepkemoi had booked her ticket after finishing third in Heat 2, clocking 2:02.30 across the finish line.

Sarah Billings of Australia finished first after timing 2:01.51, ahead of second-placed Oratile Nowe of Botswana who ran 2:02.11.

Another Kenyan in contention, Vivian Chebet, fell at the worst possible time when she was poised to secure qualification, with less than 100 metres to the finish line.

The Olympian ended up in sixth, clocking 2:13.00.

The semi-final is set for Wednesday night, with Odira and Jepkemoi looking to fly the country’s flag high at the quadrennial games.

Boland Cavaliers captain Thurlow Marsh says his team are not getting ahead of themselves despite two impressive wins in the opening rounds of the Currie Cup.

The Wellington side have scored a combined nine tries while conceding only one, in victories against the Bulls (24-10) and Stormers (41-3) at home.

Boland are second on the table behind the only other undefeated team, the Cheetahs.

Marsh and coach Hawies Fourie praised the team’s defence, but said they were taking the tournament one match at a time, with the Pumas next.

‘Like a mamba’

They will remember last season, when Boland similarly started strongly and beat larger unions early on.

However, Boland lost their last two pool games to finish fourth, and were then thrashed 67-19 by the Lions in their semi-final at Ellis Park.

“We’ll take it game by game,” Marsh said simply, when asked about the battle for the top spot this year.

“The Cheetahs are [ahead] of us by one point. But next week we host the Pumas, and we’ll prepare well for them.”

Still, the captain enjoyed the way his team played against the Stormers on a sunny winter afternoon.

“The conditions suited us. We didn’t concede any tries, and the defence coach [Charl Strydom] would be happy about it. And when we had opportunities we converted those into points.

“We knew if we had a fast start against our neighbours from the Cape, we would blow the wind out of their sails. We ticked that box. After that, we kept building phases and, like a mamba, we got them. They slowly died afterwards.”

He credited his forwards for controlling the early phases, while the backline, including Jayden Bantom (who scored a hat-trick, four conversions and a penalty to amass 26 points for his side) converted their opportunities.

Boland prioritise a defence culture

Fourie believed his side left a few points on the field in the first half (score 13-3 at the break). But the second half was much better.

“I’m proud of Charl,” the head coach said.

“He works hard to create a defence culture. It’s not something that comes naturally to most of our guys. They want to attack.

“But you can see it’s starting to bear fruit, and at the end of the day, it’s what wins you competitions.”

Boland will aim for a third straight victory when they host the Pumas after the Mbombela side lost to the Sharks at home and then away to the Lions.

LONDON, England, July 27, 2026 – There may be no more intriguing situation in the transfer landscape right now than Vinicius Jr’s future.

The Real Madrid forward is unquestionably one of the most high-profile footballers on the planet.

The Brazil international joined Real as an 18-year-old in 2018, winning 14 trophies and scoring 128 goals in 375 matches for the Spanish giants.

To think they have allowed him to enter the final year of his contract is perplexing – but that is where we are.

In normal circumstances, according to industry sources, Vinicius’ market value would exceed £200m.

On the pitch, that amount of money would get you a world class left-winger who is also adept at playing centrally, as well as a player who, aged 26, is reaching his peak years.

Off the pitch, you would be signing a global icon whose commercial value would be financially lucrative.

‘Arsenal want proven talent – and Vinicius fits bill’

Real Madrid have tried to renew their attacker’s contract and opened further talks with him on Monday – but, as of yet, to no avail.

His potential availability has alerted Arsenal, who are among the clubs to have internally explored exploiting the contractual impasse. Teams in Saudi Arabia are also monitoring his situation closely.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants to sign proven talent – and Vinicius fits the bill.

Sources close to Arsenal insist he is just one of a number of options the club are exploring in their search for a left-sided attacker, after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.

However, BBC Sport understands Arteta has become so smitten with the notion of signing Vinicius that he is viewed internally as the club’s number one target.

As Arsenal discovered with Rogers, there are no guarantees clubs attract their priority targets.

Indeed, Arsenal are realistic about their chances of landing Vinicius Jr. They know it is a long shot.

Similarly, there is a sense from those close to Vinicius Jr that any move to Arsenal would be difficult.

For most South American footballers, playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is a lifelong ambition. Leaving the Spanish capital – even for a club as illustrious at Arsenal – would be viewed as, at best, a sidewards step.

With Real being arguably the biggest club on the planet, there is a sense that leaving the Bernabeu would also impact the player’s commercial brand.

Vinicius ‘receptive’ to renewing Real contract

Talks over a new Real deal for Vinicius are expected to ramp up in the coming days.

It is claimed the forward is still very receptive to renewing at the Bernabeu but “wants to feel loved”. Recent reports have stated that new manager Jose Mourinho wants to keep all his big names at the club.

But there is serious jeopardy for Real if they keep Vinicius without renegotiating his contract. The scenario of the Brazilian leaving for nothing in 2027 would represent a financial catastrophe, even for a club as cash rich as them.

With that in mind, resolving the situation one way or another is understandably viewed as a priority for Real before the transfer deadline.

As it stands Vinicius can start speaking to rival clubs about a free transfer move away from Real at the turn of the year. Leaving on a free will be far more lucrative in terms of wages to the attacker than leaving this summer, when the buying club has to find a transfer fee.

Additionally, how much would Real demand for Vinicius?

Their move for Eden Hazard seven years ago may provide us with clues. The club signed the Belgian in 2019 in a deal worth up to £130m. He was 28 at the time and in the final year of his contract at Chelsea.

Vinicius is two years younger and has a commercial value that exceeds Hazard’s – and that is not to mention the seven-year cost of inflation.

It is clear that Arsenal would almost certainly need to obliterate the British transfer record of £125m, from Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle to Liverpool last summer.

Then there are Vinicius’ wages to factor in. Reports suggest he earns in the region of £450,000 a week at Real Madrid, although sources indicate it is considerably more.

At Arsenal, that would immediately make him the club’s top earner by some distance, with Bukayo Saka currently earning up to £400,000-a-week.

But, with Vinicius a year away from his Real contract expiring, it is not simply a case of merely matching – or even slightly improving – his money if he was to leave this summer.

Is Vinicius prepared to leave Real?

The nature of free transfers means Vinicius could conceivably double his money next year.

With that scenario now within reach, it is safe to assume the forward will almost certainly request a significant pay increase if he moves this summer.

Having to find what is likely to be a minimum £130m plus wages will be a hard push for any club, no matter how rich, in the era of financial regulation.

Arsenal, nevertheless, have analysed the numbers and believe they have the financial means to fund a move for Vinicius. It is understood the signing has widespread backing across the club.

In the past, Arsenal have offered players very generous image rights deals. This would be a key component of any agreement to take Vinicius to the Premier League.

The winger’s advisors at agency Roc Nation will be fully aware of these factors.

The fact Roc Nation also represent Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli – whose chances would be left severely limited by Vinicius’ arrival – also makes for an intriguing subplot.

It is understood that Martinelli, who has up to two years left on his contract, is happy at Arsenal and will only consider leaving for an opportunity that suits him.

Effectively, the leverage is almost entirely with Vinicius.

Arsenal are unquestionably one of the most attractive projects in European football. They will be one of the favourites to lift the Champions League next season, having lost on penalties in last season’s final. They are in a very strong financial position, too.

But a move to north London would require Vinicius to relinquish the sort of leverage that most players, even of his standing, do not have.

Perhaps most importantly of all, it would mean him giving up on being a Real Madrid footballer.

Is he prepared to do that? We should have the answer soon.

A former All Blacks tactician has rejoined the coaching staff for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in South Africa.

Assistant coach Tamati Ellison has returned just four months after leaving his role when NZ Rugby appointed head coach Dave Rennie and his management team.

The 43-year-old recently guided the Maori All Blacks to victory over Japan XV, and has been confirmed as a Blues assistant from the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.

HANSEN: Rassie takes clever risks

He previously served as All Blacks skills coach before stepping into the defence role during the 2025 campaign.

His exact responsibilities for the eight-match South African tour have not been disclosed, but his experience across defence, skills coaching and head coaching adds depth to the All Blacks backroom.

Ellison joins a group that includes senior assistant Neil Barnes, forwards coach Jason Ryan, defence coach Tana Umaga, attack coach Mike Blair, head of performance Phil Healey, skill acquisition coach Euan Mackintosh, selector Graham Henry and mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka.

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Orlando Pirates’ new striker Sebastian Pedersen says the chance to join the Buccaneers was one he simply couldn’t refuse.

Pirates’ Pedersen – ‘It’s such a big club’

Pirates announced on Sunday evening that they had reached an agreement with Norwegian second-tier side Sogndal to sign the 27-year-old former Norway Under-21 striker.

Me ønskjer Sebastian Pedersen masse lukke til på hans neste eventyr. For det er verkeleg eit eventyr. Sebastian er selt til Orlando Pirates i Sør-Afrika.

Les meir på heimesida: https://t.co/adgsv4AknD pic.twitter.com/D4rsIZrjJx

– Sogndal Fotball (@sogndalfotball) July 27, 2026

“This feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Pedersen told the Sogndal official website.

“It’s such a big club that I couldn’t help but seize the opportunity when it came. At first I was a little skeptical, but the more I’ve learned about the club and life in South Africa, the more excited I’ve become. I’m very grateful that Sogndal came to an agreement with Orlando Pirates.”

‘A great opportunity’

Havard Flo, responsible for player logistics at Sogndal, admitted the decision to sell Pedersen was partly economical. Pedersen has had a superb season thus far at Sogndal, netting eight goals in 14 league matches.

“This is a great opportunity for Sebastian. He has expressed that this was an exciting step that he would like to take if we found a solution that worked for all parties. At the same time, Sogndal needs to focus on the economy, and we are a club that develops and sells players,” said Flo.