Springboks coach swings the axe ahead of second test

By MIKE GREENAWAY

It was inevitable that blood would be spilt following one of the most embarrassing defeats in Springbok rugby history. Coach Harry Viljoen has swung the axe lustily to cull four Ellis Park miscreants from his starting 15, a selection censure that for now will assuage the outraged South African rugby public.

There is also an injury-enforced change which means one third of the team that failed to get out of the starting blocks last week has been replaced for the second test against France in Durban on Sunday morning (NZT).

To Harry Viljoen's credit, there was no hot air about player rotation.

"We have made the changes to improve our performance," Viljoen said succinctly and with admirable honesty.

Last week the public principally vented their wrath on poor Percy Montgomery, so Thinus Delport's elevation to the No 15 jersey will have the approval of highveld rugby supporters.

But they might not be so pleased to see rugged Japie Mulder disappear from the squad completely.

There have been nasty whispers that Japie has been disciplined because of the aggressive play that resulted in two penalties being awarded to France, but Viljoen refuted this at the team announcement.

"No, that is not the reason. Japie has been dropped because he did not play well. I must say, I was disappointed with his game."

Fair enough. Mulder's loss is Robbie Fleck's gain, with the Western Province man paired with De Wet Barry.

Viljoen said that his centres would play "left and right" and so would not be restricted to either inside or outside centre.

Three members of the tight five that had their backsides kicked at Ellis Park have been replaced.

Lock Andre Venter, who has hitherto had the remarkable record of not missing a game at any level through injury since 1992, has succumbed to a rib injury.

Lanky Albert van den Berg will link up with Sharks teammate Mark Andrews in the second row, and Johan Ackermann replaces Albert on the bench.

If Ackermann makes it on to the field, it will be his first taste of test rugby since 1996, the year in which he was banned because of steroid use.

Van den Berg should improve the Boks' lineout play - can it get worse? - and he is particularly adept at competing on opposition ball, an area in which the French excelled last week, pinching four Bok throws.

Viljoen has also beefed up the front row. Hooker John Smit will have two new props this week in the form of Willie Meyer and Ollie le Roux.

Relegated to the bench are Robbie Kempson and Etienne Fynn.

Besides getting stuck in at the set scrums, Viljoen will want his new props to do some hard work with ball in hand.

The Bok pack did precious little driving last week and Le Roux and Meyer will be tasked with initiating some good old fashioned forward rumbles up the field.

It is no surprise that the French selection policy this week contrasts with that of the Boks.

The confident French have announced an unchanged line-up, meaning there is still no place for their most experienced player, prop Christian Califano.

The tourists have had a quiet build-up, taking the day off on Monday and having closed sessions yesterday and on Tuesday.

South Africa: Thinus Delport, Breyton Paulse, Robbie Fleck, De Wet Barry, Dean Hall, Butch James, Joost van der Westhuizen, Andre Vos (captain), Corne Krige, Rassie Erasmus, Albert van den Berg, Mark Andrews, Willie Meyer, John Smit, Ollie le Roux.

Reserves: Neil de Kock, Percy Montgomery, Conrad Jantjes, Ettiene Fynn, Rob Kempson, Johan Ackermann, Bob Skinstad.

France: Nicolas Jeanjean, David Bory, Yannick Jauzion, Stephane Glas, Christophe Dominici, Gerald Merceron, Fabien Galthie (captain), Patrick Tabacco, Olivier Magne, Sebastien Chabal, Olivier Brouzet, David Auradou, Pieter de Villiers, Raphael Ibanez, Jean Jacques Crenca.

Reserves: Olivier Azam, Christian Califano, Lionel Nallet, Elvis Vermeulen, Pierre Mignoni, David Skrela, Pepito Elhorga.

- INDEPENDENT ONLINE (SOUTH AFRICA)