Johannesburg

Thursday

Showers late. Afternoon clouds. Cool.

8°C
18°C

7 day forecasts

More headaches for Bok coach

2008-08-24 20:11

Durban - Front row forwards, locks and flyhalves could create problems for Springbok coach Peter de Villiers before he announces the side for the Springboks' final Tri-Nations Test against the Australia at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.

Already under tremendous pressure for his team selections, game plan and the four losses and one rather lucky win in five Tri-Nations matches this year, De Villiers may have to bring in players from outside the identified squad of 30.

The extent of the players' injuries will only be announced on Monday afternoon.

The front row in particular could force De Villiers to look to someone like Heinke van der Merwe to take over at loosehead or to experienced World Cup Bok Jannie du Plessis, who can scrum on both sides.

Bok loosehead Tendai Mtwarira's shoulder and the possible suspension on Monday of CJ van der Linde - who can scrum on both sides - added to the departure of BJ Botha for Ireland, must be the biggest worry for De Villiers.

At lock captain Victor Matfield is nursing a groin injury brought about by being plucked from a lineout. Bakkies Botha is still injured, and experienced World Cup Bok Johann Muller is also unfit because of injury.

History of knee injuries

At flyhalf the cupboard is really bare. Butch James has been out of form throughout the Boks' campaign this year. He injured a knee on Saturday.

His long history of knee injuries makes it a reasonable assumption that he might have to sit out this weekend's game.

James' early-season replacement in the earlier Tests, Peter Grant, is injured. So is the next in line Frans Steyn, who has a nose injury.

Percy Montgomery, on whom De Villiers would have relied against Argentina if James had been injured, will not be selected to start as pivot, De Villiers himself said so two weeks ago.

Andre Pretorius is injured and Derek Hougaard now plays for Leicestershire.

Earl Rose still has too many rough edges, despite a big season.

That leaves Ruan Pienaar - and De Villiers does not favour him at flyhalf.

Added to these injuries which could impact on the team selection, De Villiers has the unenviable task of motivating the Springboks for Saturday's Test.

A win is not negotiable. Already confirmed wooden-spoonists, a defeat would see South Africa whitewashed in their three home Tri-Nations Test.

- SAPA

inside news24

Cpt: 8-10°C Sprinkles early. Partly cloudy. Cool. Pta: 10-17°C Tstorms late. Afternoon clouds. Cool.
Jhb: 8-18°C Showers late. Afternoon clouds. Cool. Bloem: 7-17°C Morning clouds. Cool.
Dbn: 13-19°C More sun than clouds. Cool. PE: 10-13°C More clouds than sun. Cool.
7 day forecasts...
Western Cape Eastern Cape Kwazulu Natal Gauteng

Stellenbosch - 18:46:22 PM Accident at the Kayamandi Bridge More traffic reports...

Here are the winning Lotto numbers from the Wednesday, November 11 draw.

7 15 19 22 25 26 bonus 4

11 15 23 26 29 38 bonus 48

SMS the word Lotto to 31222 to get lotto numbers sent directly to your phone. The service costs just R10 per month. 
More lotto numbers...

Jobs - Find your dream job

Snr Project Manger

Gauteng
Network IT Recruitment

Siebel Developer

Gauteng
Network IT Recruitment

Java developer (Telecoms)

Gauteng
Network IT Recruitment

Cars - Search 1000's of new and used cars

AUDI

2008 A4 1.8T Multitronics from R 269 000

VOLKSWAGEN

Polo 1.6 Comfortline 5-dr Tiptronic
2009
R 179,900.00

TOYOTA

Yaris T3 1.3 Plus 5-dr
2008
R 125,990.00

BMW

320i Coupe E92
2009
R 389,900.00

Property - Find a new home

CASHAN EXT 5

Single Residential R1,790,000

INANDA

Single Residential R5,500,000

RIETFONTEIN

Single Residential R1,300,000

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Free Games - TOO MUCH NEWS? TAKE A BREAK!