Snyman the scapegoat

2003-07-21 22:11

Cape Town - South Africa haven chosen uncapped backs Jorrie Muller and Gus Theron in a 28-man squad for Tri-Nations matches in Australia and New Zealand next month.

But coach Rudolf Straeuli failed to wield the axe on Monday after a humiliating 52-16 loss to the All Blacks in Pretoria last weekend with only centre André Snyman dropped from the starting line-up.

The experienced Natal player pays the price for a porous defence that let in the All Blacks for seven tries as the Springboks slumped to their second worst loss after a 53-3 thrashing in England last year.

South African newspapers had called for the heads of wing Stefan Terblanche and scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen, claiming the veterans were well past their best.

Straeuli, whose laid back approach to the Pretoria debacle has upset South African supporters, hinted that he would not panic despite the World Cup in Australia being less than three months away.

Another player lucky to survive is flanker Wikus van Heerden, who appeared out of his depth against a fiery New Zealand loose trio led by captain Reuben Thorne.

The son of former Springbok lock Moaner van Heerden, his starting place must be in jeopardy with tearaway Joe van Niekerk back in contention after a series of injuries.

Centre Muller from the Golden Lions and utility back Theron from Western Province were unexpected selections with the media pushing for the recall of Province centre Robbie Fleck.

Flanker Corné Krige remains skipper of a squad that tackles world champions Australia in Brisbane on August 2 and defending champions New Zealand in Dunedin seven days later.

New Zealand have five points, South Africa four and Australia one after two rounds of the annual Southern Hemisphere championship that continues on Saturday when the Wallabies host the All Blacks.

- AFX