Stormers trying to get around NZ bar on key player

The Stormers are trying to get around restrictions at the New Zealand border which are stopping Springbok wing Tonderai Chavhanga from the country on their Super 14 rugby tour.

Chavhanga, who qualified to play for South African on International Rugby Board regulations after being resident in the country for three years, is still officially a Zimbabwean citizen, the Cape Times newspaper reported.

"New Zealand have a policy on Zimbabwe," said Stormers spokesman Gavin Lewis.

"The application has been ongoing for some time. The relevant information has been sent to the New Zealand High Commission.

"We are confident that it will be sorted out."

Chavhanga experienced similar visa troubles in 2004 when he did not have a visa to travel from Australia to New Zealand and had to stay behind in Sydney while the issue was addressed.

"I am not exactly sure what the problem is and what is going on, but I'm confident it will be sorted out for me. I'm not worried," Chavhanga told the Cape Times yesterday.

The Stormers were today on their way to Perth, where they will be based ahead of their match against the Western Force at the Subiaco Oval next Friday.

Chavhanga has been issued a visa for Australia, but the situation regarding New Zealand will have to be resolved before April 1 when the squad flies out to Auckland.

This year's New Zealand leg of the tour takes in matches against the Blues (April 8) and the Chiefs in Hamilton (April 15).

"If we can't get this sorted out, Tonderai will have to fly home after the game against the Western Force and then join us again in Brisbane before our match against the Reds on April 21," coach Kobus van der Merwe said.

Chavhanga, who came back from a long-term injury layoff last week, has been described by some South African commentators as a key player for the Stormers in a trying campaign.

- NZPA