Rugby: Big hopes, not big guns, for South African Colts

By CHRIS RATTUE

While New Zealand plucked a significant number of their Colts out of senior and even professional rugby for the international tournament which reaches its climax today, South African coach Eric Sauls spent his time delving into junior ranks.

The lack of household names in the South African side contrasts with the New Zealand lineup they will meet in the grand final at Eden Park this evening.

The home side include players such as Orene Ai'i, Aaron Mauger, Keven Mealamu and Carl Hayman, who have already begun to make their mark in the Super 12.

Others, such as Wellington loose forward Jerry Collins, have been earmarked for top senior careers.

Last year's South African under-21 side, who beat New Zealand in the final in Argentina, ware captained by Sharks' frontrower John Smit, who has now made his way into the South African squad. But as yet, it is a mystery which of their current players are on the verge of making the step up.

Sauls was able to include a couple of players - inside back Butch James and Blue Bulls prop Eduard Coetzee, with some Currie Cup experience, and some who have played in the third-level Vodacom Cup.

"There were no players from the Super 12 who qualified for the under-21s," Sauls said.

So he scoured the various academies around South Africa to come up with teams to play trials before they embarked on the tournament based at North Harbour Stadium.

Sauls, who played for the South African black/coloured team under the old apartheid regime, said he was not bound by the controversial quota systems in selecting his side.

About one-third of the present squad are black or coloured, but Sauls said they were selected entirely on merit.

However, only a couple of those players have made the 22-man squad for today's final against New Zealand.

The topic of the development of black/coloured players and the quota system is tricky, to say the least, and an especially difficult one for people outside South Africa to come to grips with.

It seems likely to remain a sticking point in South African rugby.

Sauls preferred to steer clear of too many comments on the quota system, which caused Cats coach Laurie Mains a few problems in the Super 12.

"The quota system is not necessary at this level because there are many talented black and coloured players to be selected on merit," Sauls said.

"There are 10 players in the national under-23 team ...

"South African rugby is on the right track."

Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Mauger said the match represented a great chance for players in his side to push their claims for professional careers.

"This game is a big step in all of our careers and for some of the players it's a chance to help them to break into NPC sides," he said.

Both sides were unbeaten in winning their pool games. New Zealand had big wins over Samoa, England and Argentina, and performed significantly better through the tournament after struggling in the first half against Samoa.

South Africa had big wins over Tonga and Scotland, but just pipped Australia with a last-minute penalty. New Zealand: Ben Blair, Neil Brew, Gavin Williams, Seilala Mapusua, Orene Ai'i, Aaron Mauger (captain), David Gibson; Jerry Collins, Josh Blackie, Rodney So'oialo, Kristian Ormsby, Filipo Levi, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Clarke Dermody. Res: Malili Muliaina, Amasio Valence, James King; Grant Webb, Hale Tu'uhoko, Deacon Manu, Tom Willis.

South Africa: Conrad Jantjes, Wylie Human, Marius Joubert, Butch James, Frederich Lombaard, Gareth Wright, Noel Oelschig; Johan van Niekerk, Wikus van Heerden (c), Hendro Scholtz, Barend Pieterse, Lodie Britz, Christoffel van der Linde, James van der Walt, Eduard Coetzee. Res: Ondela Kiva, Attie Winter, Geo Cronje; Neil du Plessis, John Cooper, Adrian Jacobs, Dries Scholtz.

Referee: Andrew Ireland (Scotland)

Kickoff: 5.10 pm.