THE Australian Rugby Union (ARU) are still intending to stage the historic closed-roof international against South Africa at the troubled Colonial Stadium here next month, it was confirmed Monday. ARU officials will inspect the new arena this week, but the national body remains hopeful the loose playing surface will recover for the July 8 Mandela Cup Test. The Australian Football League became the first victim of the new ground on Sunday, which was opened earlier this year, when they transferred a club match to the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) following Friday night’s match between Brisbane and the Kangaroos. While AFL players have had difficulty keeping their feet on a side of the ground nicknamed “Death Valley”, the ARU wants a level playing field. The Springboks have agreed to play the match under a closed roof, making it the first rugby union international not exposed to the elements. It will be the final hitout for both teams before the Tri-Nations series begins the following week in Sydney between Australia and New Zealand at the 100000-capacity Olympic stadium. The Wallabies will take on the Springboks again on July 29 at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.