Rugby: Nick Mallett resigned as South Africa coach last night just hours after a disciplinary hearing began into allegations that he brought the game into disrepute.

Mallett's shock decision came after the first day of a planned three-day probe in Cape Town into a newspaper report in which Mallett accused the South Africa Rugby Football Union of "greed" for selling Tri-Nations championship tickets at inflated prices.

His resignation brought a end to a three-year reign which reached a peak in 1998 when the Springboks equalled the world record by winning 17 consecutive Tests.

He has enjoyed much less success since with defending champions South Africa losing to Australia after extra-time in a 1999 World Cup semi-final at Twickenham.

Springbok pride received further dents this year as England shared a Test series in South Africa, and Australia (twice) and New Zealand beat them in the Tri-Nations.

Former Gauteng Lions, Natal Sharks and Western Province coach Harry Viljoen is favourite to succeed 43-year-old Mallett.

A statement issued by SARFU and Mallett confirmed his resignation and said the union had withdrawn all allegations against Mallett.

Golf: Valerie Hassett's bid for a third Senior British Open title in five years was disrupted by bad weather at West Kilbride yesterday. Play had to be suspended with less than half the field in from their second rounds - and Hassett, winner in 1996 and '98 is one of those who will have to return at dawn today in a bid to complete the round.

She was 14 over par for the tournament after eight holes were played yesterday and she knows that, if she can hold her game together, then a challenge for honours is very much on the cards.

Of those who did finish, Sue Timberlake of Edgbaston leads the way with a score of 164, one stroke ahead of Pamela Williamson from Baberton.