South Africa once again extended the deadline for Jacques Kallis to prove his fitness for the opening Test against Australia starting on Friday, even though the brilliant all-rounder couldn’t lift a bat during a net session in Perth on Wednesday. Veteran fast-bowler Shaun Pollock said the team will adapt if Kallis is unavailable.

Injury-stricken South Africa will turn to a corporate psychologist to help them prepare for their first Test against Australia in Perth next Friday. South African coach Mickey Arthur confirmed that Johannesburg-based psychologist Francois Hugo is due to arrive in Perth on Wednesday.

Australian rugby’s newest team kicked off in humble surrounds on Monday when players from the Western Force practised on a bumpy training paddock for the first time in preparation for next year’s Super 14 competition. About a dozen players had their first hit-out under former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, who conceded his charges, nearly all drawn from teams on Australia’s eastern seaboard, were rusty.

Australian coach Eddie Jones has warned his team not to get sucked into South Africa’s high-tempo game in Saturday’s Tri-Nations clash, saying patience holds the key to victory. The under-fire coach said the Australians will be determined to play at their own pace against the high-flying Springboks.

The all-conquering Springboks on Monday played down their chances in this week’s Tri-Nations rugby clash against a struggling Australian outfit who have been outmuscled in their past three Tests. But forwards coach Gert Smal delivered the first blow in the inevitable psychological build-up to the clash.