GAFFIE RETURNS TO SCENE OF THE CRIME

THESE days, Springbok coach Nick Mallett is rationing out his words like a bank director rations out bond rate cuts but he is making up for it with his sudden enthusiasm for sweeping team changes. He made eight in the starting line-up and six on the bench when he named his side to meet the All Blacks on Saturday and stem a hemorrhaging run of three successive defeats. The new combination has only been together since Thursday and it remains a moot point whether that is long enough to halt a rampant All Black side which has produced comprehensive victories over both the Springboks and Wallabies.