Saracens caught up in England cricket controversy

A Saracens player was reportedly involved in a nightclub incident with England cricket captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson. sport-newz.biz

Stokes and Atkinson are facing a probe by the ECB for breaking team rules in the early hours of Monday morning following England’s win in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported players from Saracens were also present at the venue for the English Premiership club’s end-of-season party.

Saracens subsequently issued a statement confirming one their academy players was involved in an incident in the early hours of Monday.

“We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens,” it said. “The club is currently establishing the full facts and is in contact with the relevant authorities and individuals involved. Once this process is complete, the matter will be reviewed and addressed appropriately.

“We will make no further comment at this time.”

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The incident is the latest controversy concerning the England cricket team following a tour of Australia where the side faced allegations of a drinking culture during a 4-1 Ashes series loss.

– AFP

Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

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Le président du Conseil souverain de transition et chef de l'armée soudanaise, le général Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a rencontré dimanche 7 juin 2026 Pekka Haavisto, l’envoyé spécial de l'ONU au Soudan. Les discussions ont porté sur les efforts en cours visant à instaurer la paix au Soudan, surtout après la réunion entre des partis politiques proches des deux belligérants, réunion initiée par le Mécanisme des cinq avec l'ONU et l'Union africaine et qui a eu lieu à Addis-Abeba la semaine dernière.

If their rumoured transfer activity is anything to go by, Orlando Pirates seem serious about retaining their crown next season.

Orlando Pirates chase proven Betway Premiership stars

Highly regarded Sbangani Zulu made 20 league appearances for Richards Bay last term, while 25-year-old central midfielder Mthetheleli Mthiyane made 25 league appearances for Stellenbosch. Widespread local reports point to Pirates snapping up both players in the coming weeks.

Ndlovu is already in the bag

Pirates have wrapped up the signing of in-demand winger Siyanda Ndlovu from Golden Arrows. With four goals and six assists from 25 appearances in the league last term, he’s been in demand. Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng are already at the club, so here’s now a seeming oversupply of wide attackers on the books. Ndlovu’s imminent arrival could be the clearest sign yet that 21-year-old Mofokeng’s final form is in the number 10 role. Ndlovu’s arrival is hot off the heels of Sipho Mbule’s exit from the club.

Orlando Pirates star Mofokeng will be key at the World Cup

Rele Mofokeng is expected to play a pivotal role for Bafana at the 2026 World Cup. Bafana starts its campaign against Mexico in the tournament opener on June 11th. The iconic Estadio Azteca will play host to this grand occasion.

Former Proteas white-ball captain Johan Botha on Tuesday quit as coach of Queensland and the Big Bash League side Brisbane Heat with a year left on his contract.

The 44-year-old steered Queensland to the Sheffield Shield final in his first year at the helm, but failed to win a trophy with reports saying he was forced out.

Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine, currently head coach of Australia A, is among those being touted as a replacement.

‘Strong contribution’

Queensland Cricket chief Terry Svenson thanked Botha for his commitment.

“While we haven’t achieved all of our on-field goals, Johan has made a strong contribution towards the development of the next generation of Queensland and Brisbane Heat players,” he said.

“Despite this decision, Johan’s contributions to our high performance group have been valued.”

Botha played five Tests, 78 ODIs and 40 T20 internationals for South Africa between 2005 and 2012, captaining both white-ball sides during that time.

He was previously head coach of the Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings and Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League.

Victor Matfield is unfazed by the prospect of attack coach Tony Brown taking Springbok intellectual property back to New Zealand after the 2027 World Cup.

NZ Rugby announced on Monday that Brown had signed a two-year contract to be part of the All Blacks coaching set-up from 2028.

Speaking on the Rivals podcast, Matfield insisted that Brown’s departure should not be viewed as a concern.

“One thing I do like about Rassie [Erasmus] is his open communication,” the former Bok lock said. “Before the last World Cup, we knew Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones were going to leave almost a year before the tournament, and they still did a fantastic job.”

KIRWAN: Brown will bring Springbok IP with him

Matfield also recalled a similar challenge during his playing days when former Bok forwards coach Gert Smal joined Ireland.

“He worked with me for hours on lineouts, so it was difficult because he knew exactly how I thought about the game,” he said.

“But it works both ways. Tony is sharing everything with the Boks now, and when he goes there, we’ll also know how he thinks and what he wants from an attack.”

BEAVER: Tony coup the ultimate ‘power play’

Matfield also dismissed concerns that Brown would expose South Africa’s secrets to their fiercest rivals.

“I think everyone knows what the DNA of the Springboks is,” he said. “We want to dominate set-piece, dominate territory, and the kicking game and aerial battle are hugely important to us. Then we’ve got X-factor players who can hurt you from anywhere.

“I think most teams know exactly what we do and how we do it.”

POLL: Should Brown stay or go now?

Matfield said the Boks would look to tap into all of Brown’s knowledge and experience in a bid to land a hat-trick of World Cup titles, which would lead to an “even bigger rivalry” between the two countries.

“Let’s just win our third World Cup, and then you can have him, because then we need some competition,” Matfield quipped.

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images

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