Steyn back for the Springboks Haider 'threatened' UCI chase Contador

RUGBY: South Africa will mull over making changes to their backline to face Wales on Saturday after Racing Metro's Francois Steyn joined up with the Springbok squad yesterday.

Steyn, a World Cup winner with the Springboks in 2007, missed the 23-21 win over Ireland in Dublin as Racing were not obliged to release the 23-year-old with the Test falling outside the International Rugby Board's designated window.

"We miss him when he is not with us," said assistant coach Dick Muir. "He covers a number of positions and gives us lots of options in selection."

Haider 'threatened'

CRICKET: Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider claims death threats forced him to flee to London rather than "sell out the dignity and respect of my motherland" by agreeing to throw matches.

"I received death threats to lose the fourth and fifth one-day internationals against South Africa, but I could not compromise the dignity of my country," said Haider.

UCI chase Contador

CYCLING: The International Cycling Union have asked the Spanish cycling federation to open disciplinary proceedings against Alberto Contador.

The Tour de France champion tested positive for clenbuterol on July 21, the second rest day of the 2010 race, and was provisionally suspended by UCI.

But the 27-year-old Spaniard has denied any wrongdoing.

FORMULA ONE: Lewis Hamilton has admitted he would love to see Mark Webber emerge victorious in this year's Formula One world title race if he cannot claim the championship for himself.

"I'd like to see Mark win it. He's done a great job this year," said Hamilton. "Against adversity he has kept at it."

Tennis: Home favourite Richard Gasquet set up a second-round meeting with world No2 Roger Federer with a win over fellow countryman Nicolas Mahut in the Paris Masters last night.

The 24-year-old beat his compatriot 7-5 4-6 7-6 (9/7).

GOLF: British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen has withdrawn from this week's $6m Singapore Open golf event because of a troublesome left ankle injury.

"Reluctantly I've had to pull out of this week's Singapore Open," the South African said, "and I'm going to take another two weeks off and see if it's any better."

NBA: Orlando 93 Atlanta 89, Toronto 102 Golden State 109, Charlotte 91 San Antonio 95, Chicago 94 Denver 92, Memphis 109 Phoenix 99, Dallas 89 Boston 87.

NFL: Cincinatti 21 Pittsburgh 27.

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