Test venue may change

One of the All Blacks' two test venues in South Africa for the Tri-Nations might be changed. The All Blacks were due to play the Springboks at Pretoria on August 26 and Rustenberg, west of Pretoria and also on the high veldt, on September 2.

The dumping of South African rugby president Brian van Rooyen, who had handed Rustenberg the test in a move to appease supporters and to the annoyance of the traditional heavyweight unions, is tipped to lead to a change of venue. New president Oregan Hoskins is also president of the KwaZulu Natal union, whose home base is Durban. Scotland are the only visitors for a test in Durban this year.

Any change down from the thin air closer to sea level will be welcomed by the All Blacks. This year is the first where the Tri-Nations has been enlarged to an extra round of games. The All Blacks will host Australia twice.