WEDNESDAY, 11.45AM:
SPRINGBOK tighthead prop Toks van der Linde, who was sent off in the game against French Barbarians on Tuesday, was sentenced to a 60-day ban by a disciplinary panel from the local rubgy union after he recklessly stamped on flanker Serge Betsen.
The South African officials failed to persuade the disciplinary panel to reduce the sentence. Springbok coach Nick Mallett said: “We did our best to reduce the sentence, but 60 days is the minimum they dish out here for this type of offence. I still think it’s very harsh. There was no malice in what Toks did.”
Springbok manager Arthob Peterson also expresssed their unhappiness. “We’re very unhappy with the length of the sentence. Having said that, we’re not to try to condone over-robust play,” he said.
This is a blow to the Springboks and Mallett is likely to send a call for a replacement flanker and prop soon, following the suspension and injury to Phillip Smit in Tuesday’s match.
SPORT BRIEFS
SA HOCKEY SQUAD TWO uncapped players have been included in the South African hockey side for the tour of Argentina beginning later this month. Eastern Province’s Clyde Abrahams from the development programme and Transvaal’s Roger Martin were named in the 16-player squad on Tuesday. Gregg Clark and Gregor Maier have also been re-called.
THE SQUAD: Brian Myburgh, Gregor Maier, Craig Jackson, Wayne Denne, Justin King, Gareth Murray, David Vuney, Brenton Key, Gregg Clark, Craig Fulton, Mathew Hallowes, Mike Cullen, Greg Nicol, Murray Anderson, Clyde Abrahams, Roger Martin.
TENNIS REF NAMED WIMBLEDON referee Alan Mills will officiate in the Nelson Mandela Tribute tennis tournament in Cape Town.
MARVELLOUS MARVIN ARRIVES LEGENDARY Marvellous Marvin Hagler arrived in the country on Tuesday as a geust in the triple-title fight bill at the Carousel on Saturday. The former undisputed world middleweight champion Hagler will form part of the M-Net Topsport commentary team for the tournament.
GOOD NEWS FOR BAFANA BAFANA BAFANA coach Clive Barker and his squad were greeted by good news on their arrival in Dusseldorf airport on Tuesday. Defender Pierre Issa is fit and ready to don the famous Bafana Bafana jersey alongside captain Lucas Radebe and Mark Fish against three-time world champions Germany on Saturday.