/ 6 October 1999

MALLETT KEEN FOR HONIBALL RETURN

SPRINGBOK coach Nick Mallet is eager to have injured flyhalf Henry Honiball back as soon as possible. Despite the impressive display of stand-in Jannie de Beer in the Springboks 49-26 victory against Scotland, Mallett is determined first-choice Honiball will be given a run-out to ensure he is fit for the quarter-final showdown against either New Zealand or England. Honiball failed a late test on a hamstring on Saturday but Mallett described that decision as “precautionary”, adding: “He must play in one of the next two games.” Mallett will also be keeping an eye on winger Deon Kayser, who was one of six South Africa try-scorers against the Scots along with Brendan Venter, Robbie Fleck, Ollie le Roux, Andre Venter and captain Joost van der Westhuizen. Kayser, the only non-white player in Sunday’s team, was outstanding, producing a try-saving tackle on John Leslie before scoring a superb effort under the posts. He was replaced late on with a slight hamstring strain, though Mallett said it was not serious. “I thought Deon had a very good game,” he said. “He saved a certain try when he got back to Leslie and took his try very well.”