Pienaar at No 9 against Aus?

2007-06-10 22:40

Johannesburg - Ruan Pienaar is likely to take Ricky Januarie's place at scrumhalf in the run-on team when South Africa play Australia in the first Tri-Nations rugby match of the season at Newlands on Saturday.

Januarie, who was injured in the match against Samoa at the weekend, could be out of action for a month, although the Springbok management have provided no details of his knee injury.

Pienaar's status as substitute scrumhalf has been a matter of debate since Fourie du Preez was injured a few weeks ago.

He has still not been in the starting line-up for a Test match despite playing in eight internationals since making his debut against New Zealand last year.

Januarie has been regarded as somewhat erratic but when Springbok coach Jake White was asked about Pienaar's position recently, he said the Lions player was, in the absence of Du Preez, his first choice at No 9.

Pienaar replaced Januarie at Ellis Park on Saturday and must now be the front runner to wear No 9 against Australia.

However, Heini Adams and Jano Vermaak are playing for the Emerging Springboks in Europe and the national selectors will have to make urgent plans to fill Januarie's place.

White was unable to say much on Saturday night about the four players who were injured against Samoa.

More or less according to plan

Flank Luke Watson, centre Wayne Julies and wing Ashwin Willemse also had to be replaced during the match.

Injuries aside, the three Test matches leading to the Tri-Nations opener have gone more or less according to plan.

White said on Saturday night, "I am very happy with what I have been working on during the past three weeks. We had three good victories, we scored a lot of tries and we conceded only three.

"There were many positive aspects. Our defence was our strong point. We also built up some good momentum with these victories.

"The important thing is that the guys had an opportunity to play (against Samoa) and to put pressure on other players.

"They were also in a winning team and it all contributes positively to the build-up to the World Cup tournament."

"We had to try to give everyone a chance because we had to determine the depth (of talent) at our disposal," White said.

The selection process still has some way to go before the World Cup squad can be finalised.

"We are much better off this year than we were last year," White said.

"That we beat Samoa with a team showing 13 changes from the one that had played the previous week is a big step in the right direction."

- Beeld