reuters

LONDON Aug 30 (Reuters) - England captain Andrew Strauss announced his retirement from professional cricket with immediate effect on Wednesday. Following is a selection of tributes from his fellow players: Australia captain Michael Clarke on Twitter: "Big congratulations to Andrew Strauss on a great career. Still is a very good player and a lovely man. Can only wish him … [Read more...] about Cricket-Australia captain Clarke leads praise for retired Strauss

DURBAN, South Africa Aug 30 (Reuters) - Blacks own 21 percent of land under commercial sugarcane production in South Africa, inching closer to a 30 percent target set to undo racial imbalances in land ownership, the chairman of the country's sugar association said on Thursday. Bongani Linda told an industry gathering the percentage of land under black ownership in the … [Read more...] about S.African sugar sector says 21 pct land in black hands

JOHANNESBURG Aug 30 (Reuters) - Cipla Medpro South Africa Ltd : * Says suspended CEO jerome smith * Says has launched a full investigation into serious allegations concerning mr smith * Says the company will not be providing further details on these charges at this time © Thomson Reuters 2012 All rights reserved … [Read more...] about BRIEF-Cipla Medpro S.Africa says suspended CEO

* Weakens over 1 percent * Bonds buck weaker trend to track Treasuries in late trade JOHANNESBURG Aug 30 (Reuters) - South Africa's rand fell through key support against the dollar on Thursday with investors selling the currency on risks associated with unrest in the country's mining sector. Late afternoon weakness in the euro extended the local unit's losses to … [Read more...] about Rand drops through support vs dollar, 8.50 barrier next

By Ken Borland JOHANNESBURG Aug 30 (Reuters) - South Africa's players believe in the game plan employed by coach Heyneke Meyer and the environment around the team allows them the freedom to disagree, Springbok captain Jean de Villiers said on Thursday. Meyer has been criticised in South Africa for a rigid game plan revolving around forwards bashing the ball up to get … [Read more...] about Rugby-Springboks players believe in game plan