Rugby: Who knows who'll front up for Boks

By Chris Rattue

Is it a smokescreen or is it the team?

South African rugby coach Nick Mallett will provide the answer today when the Springbok team for Saturday's opening Tri-Nations clash is announced in Dunedin.

Springbok captain Gary Teichmann provided one of the most unusual "announcements" of a test side in the history of tests between the two countries when he revealed a starting lineup to a New Zealand radio journalist on Sunday.

The side contained six changes to the one beaten by Wales, and most of the alterations had been predicted.

Teichmann even went to the trouble of re-confirming the side when the team arrived from Sydney this week. It's all a little weird to say the least - it is hard to imagine Taine Randell releasing a test lineup with or without John Hart's approval.

The South African management tried to downplay Teichmann's announcement, saying he had only indicated a likely team.

And the mystery deepened yesterday when sources around the touring squad claimed that Mallett, who has sole say on tour, was seriously considering changes to the team revealed by his captain.

The one area they said would not be touched was the new test halfback combination of Dave von Hoesslin and Gaffie du Toit.

But the Springbok sources claimed that Mallett was still mulling over his front row, loose forward and outside back selections.

They claimed that the massive and mobile prop Ollie le Roux, who is used almost exclusively in an interchange role because of his ability to bust tiring defences and feed the ball to support runners, could start.

There was also a claim that star flanker Johan Erasmus, apparently ruled out by a rib injury, could still play and might even start. And Cats number eight Andre Vos was being considered ahead of long-time loose forward Andre Venter, who Mallet believes is a better lock than loosie at test level.

It all sounds like a bit of damage control and whatever the outcome, the Springboks will field a massive and downwardly mobile forward pack.

With the demise of Robbie Kempson, who was dropped from the touring squad after Cardiff, the lightest prop under consideration, the 118kg Cobus Visagie, is still a touch heavier than the All Blacks' biggest front rower Kees Meeuws.

The others, the 130kg Os du Randt, 124kg le Roux and 120kg Willie Meyer, are instant reminders of the large units South Africa have traditionally based their approach around.

The loose forwards should also provide a stark contrast to the mobile and skilled New Zealand combination, although Erasmus would alter that equation.

Mallett's side may be revealed in name today. But the Springbok pattern for the match looks set whatever combination they send out on what is likely to be a freezing Dunedin afternoon.

The Springboks seem determined to use power, while the All Blacks have already revealed a pattern this year which relies on width and pace.