/ 28 June 2004

Matfield may not be fit for tour

Lock Victor Matfield is a doubtful starter for the Springbok rugby team to tour to Australasia next month. Matfield sustained a knee injury on Saturday against Wales and will undergo an examination on Monday.

Their first match will be on July 17 against a combined South Pacific Island team at Gosforth Park in Sydney.

The Springboks then kick off their Tri Nations campaign on June 24 against the All Blacks in Christchurch and then tackle the Wallabies a week later at the Subiaco Oval in Perth.

Jean de Villiers, De Wet Barry (both centres), Werner Greeff (fullback), Joe van Niekerk (loose forward, all Western Province), and Juan Smith (number eight, Cheetahs) will be allowed to play for their province in the Currie Cup competition over the forthcoming weekend.

Jaque Fourie (fullback/wing) was also included after he sustained a thigh injury against Ireland at Newlands. He is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme and should be fit for the Tri Nations opener against the All Blacks at the Jade Stadium.

Bakkies Botha (lock) has recovered from an Achilles heel injury and will make the trip Down Under.

The squad will assemble on Friday in Johannesburg before their departure on Monday, July 5.

The full squad for the tour to Australasia:

Forwards: Eddie Andrews (WP), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Gerrie Britz (Cheetahs), Schalk Burger (WP), Danie Coetzee (Blue Bulls), Jacques Cronje (Blue Bulls), Quinton Davids (WP), Os Du Randt (Cheetahs), Faan Rautenbach (Lions), Hanyani Shimange (Cheetahs), John Smit (captain — Sharks), Juan Smith (Cheetahs), CJ van Der Linde (Cheetahs), Joe van Niekerk (WP), AJ Venter (Sharks), Pedrie Wanneburg (Blue Bulls)

Backs: Bolla Conradie (WP), De Wet Barry (WP), Neil de Kock (WP), Jean de Villiers (WP), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Gaffie du Toit (WP), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Werner Greeff (WP), Marius Joubert (WP), Wayne Julies (unattached), Percy Montgomery (Newport), Breyton Paulse (WP), Brent Russell (Sharks), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (Leicester) – Sapa