Springbok coach dodges tackle query

By WYNNE GRAY

Want to rev up Springbok coach Harry Viljoen? Drop the subject of Butch James into the discussion about Saturday's test at Eden Park.

After commenting that his side were making progress in the Tri-Nations, and were not feeling the pressure about their test against the All Blacks, Viljoen reacted strongly when quizzed about the tackling technique of his first five-eighths.

It was a story created by the media after James had been targeted by New Zealand referee Steve Walsh in the Boks' 14-all draw last weekend with the Wallabies.

Viljoen was certain James would not suffer the same attention at Eden Park from Australian referee Peter Marshall and wanted to sidestep the issue.

"Have you got anything else to ask me?" he suggested.

"I have answered all your calls, and I am going to say the same again I have told you last time. You have asked me exactly the same question and I have told you we have been working hard.

"It is an aspect which has been worrying us and we have been working hard on it, so what more can I tell you?

"Next question please."

James has been suspended once this test season and was yellow-carded in Perth for his tackling style. Before the Boks played the All Blacks in Cape Town, Viljoen confessed he had sent James to training school to remedy his technique but the continuing scrutiny and troubles have obviously riled the South Africans.

Regular test centre Robbie Fleck has been given until the morning of the test to recover from his ankle injury. If he meets that deadline, the Boks will have an unchanged starting XV from Perth.

If Fleck does not play, Andre Snyman will take the field for his 33rd test but his first since he was injured in 1999.

Though Deon Kayser has been the regular midfield back-up this season, replacing Fleck against the Wallabies, the South African selectors want a more physical presence at midfield.

They felt Snyman, about 20kg heavier than Kayser, would be more suited to counter the powerful New Zealand backline which includes Tana Umaga at centre.

"It's a horses-for-courses choice really," Springboks assistant coach Jake White said.

Lock Mark Andrews and halfback Joost van der Westhuizen will make their South African record 75th test appearances.

It could be van der Westhuizen's last match for the Springboks in NZ. He will join Welsh club Newport next month.