Rev-up urged for Boks

A businessman is asking South African fans to dig into their pockets for US$1 million ($1.7 million) to end the Springboks' run of poor performances.

Martin Ryman said he wanted to hire American celebrity trainer Tony Robbins to motivate the team - at a cost of US$150,000 a day.

"While [England coach] Clive Woodward is doing a fantastic job in Britain, our blokes here are just becoming increasingly demotivated," said Ryman, who runs a gambling internet site allowing people abroad to play Britain's national lottery.

South Africa sneaked a 26-25 win against Argentina last weekend, but have looked way off the form that saw them lift the World Cup on home ground in 1995, offering little hope for this year's tournament in Australia, which starts in October.

Ryman, who moved to Cape Town from Britain five years ago, said he had found Robbins' training invaluable, and hoped he could do the same for South Africa.

Robbins is the author of several books on improving personal and financial well-being. He says on his website that he has helped world tennis No 1 Andre Agassi, National Hockey League side the Los Angeles Kings and "advised the President of the United States."

Ryman said he wanted to start a fund - "which I'll be more than happy to put the first 20,000 rand [$4500] into" - to bring Robbins to South Africa "and turn our boys, who are world-class athletes but unfortunately second-rate motivated athletes, into people who actually believe they can win the World Cup."

"It will cost US$1 million, but there are millions of fans and if we each give one dollar we can bring Tony over for a week."

Despite his enthusiasm, Ryman said he had had little response since launching the idea a month ago.

"I've not received anything whatsoever - nothing."

* Romanian rugby has been hit by a doping scandal, with three players suspended after testing positive for the banned steroid norandrosterone.

Adrian Manolache and Dragos Manole, who play for Remin Baia-Mare, and Aurelian Staicu, of Olimpia Steaua Bucharest, were suspended for two years.

Further doping problems may be revealed after Remin vice-president Dan Danut admitted that all the club's players had been taking drugs recommended by team officials.

"Since the team doesn't have a doctor, we decided to add amino acids to vitamins they take regularly. The players are not guilty," he said.

Romanian Federation president Octavian Morariu said an investigation would start next week.

"This is a very serious situation," he said.

Romanian player Mihai Ravariu was banned in March after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotrophin, a testosterone stimulant.

The Dinamo Bucharest player, who was suspended for two years, had been playing in a European Challenge Cup match when the tests were carried out.

- AGENCIES