TUESDAY, 8.45AM:
NICK Mallett is likely to name Werner Swanepoel as the replacement for injured Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, who returned home to South Africa on crutches on Monday. Swanepoel has been an understudy of Van der Westhuizen for some time now.
Swanepoel played three Test matches this season — as a replacement for van der Westhuizen — against the British Lions, Wallabies and France. He said it will be difficultt to fill Van der Westhuizen’s place because “He’s the kingpin in the side.” He said. “But hopefully I’ll be able to fit in.”
On Tuesday night the midweek squad will play against France A in Toulon. Mallett issued a strong message to the midweek Springboks: “Make it as difficult as possible for me to decide which players to send back home.” This is their last chance to make up for the loss against French Barbarians last week and to impress the selectors.
Meanwhile, Justin Swart, who injured himself on Wednesday before the French game, is making progress and is likely to be in the team to play England next week on Saturday. He was initially expected to be out of action for six weeks.
The squads for Tuesday’s game:
FRANCE A (from): backs — Jean-Jacques Aue, Benoit Bellot, Pierre Bondouy, David Aucagne, Patrick Bory, Nicola Brusque, Jean Escalle, Marc Leloir, Pierre Mignoni, Nicola Morlaes; forwards — Eric Azam, Nicola Bacque, Jannick Bru, Richard Crespei, Thomas Cleda, Marc de Rougemont, Thomas Lievremont (captain), Olivier Magne, Jan Manhes, Hugues Miorin, Cedric Soulette, Pierre Tabacco.
SOUTH AFRICA: Thinus Delport; McNeil Hendricks, Percy Montgomery, Franco Smith, Breyton Paulse; Boeta Wessels, Dan van Zyl; Andrew Aitken (captain), Bobby Skinstad, Warren Brosnihan, Braam Els, Wium Basson, Willie Meyer, Dale Santon, Dawie Theron. RESERVES: Ollie le Roux, Andre Venter, Naka Drotske, Werner Swanepoel, Joe Gillingham, Jannie de Beer.