Springbok stamping

South Africa rocked by suspension ahead of quarterfinal

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Posted: Monday October 18, 1999 04:53 PM

South Africa's Brendan Venter (right) avoids the tackle from Uruguay's Fernando Paullier. Venter was sent off later in the match. AP

LONDON (AP) -- South Africa's grip on the World Cup looked in jeopardy Monday after center Brendan Venter was banned for three weeks for stamping on an opponent, dealing a heavy blow to a squad already under intense scrutiny.

The 29-year-old Free State Cheetahs and London Irish star, a creative midfield presence, was sent off in the Springboks' final group match against Uruguay last Friday after catching flanker Martin Panizza's head with his boot.

Venter pleaded his innocence, saying he was trying to dig out the ball only to see scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen scoop it away as his boot came crashing down. He said there was "no malice."

Looking a forlorn figure as he left Monday's disciplinary hearing at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Venter seemed to hold out little hope that the team's appeal, to be heard within 48 hours, would save him.

"I still believe the Springboks can go on and retain the World Cup," was his sole comment.

Pieter Muller and Robbie Fleck are the only other experienced centers in the Springbok camp, with Kaya Malotana and Wayne Julies still novices at Test level.

And the performance of South Africas reserves -- unlike New Zealand's -- against minnows such as Uruguay and Spain has done little to suggest the Boks have strength in depth.

Flyhalf Henry Honiball, troubled by a persistent hamstring injury, has not yet played in the finals, although the team management hopes he can make it for Sunday's quarterfinal in Paris.

Skipper Van der Westhuizen and flanker Bobby Skinstad are also only easing their way back to top form after serious injuries.

South Africa will face either England or Fiji on Sunday.

England has made seven changes -- one of them positional -- to face Fiji in Wednesday's playoff.

They welcome back young fly-half Johnny Wilkinson who knows he will need a fine performance if he is to keep Paul Grayson, who set an England record of 36 points against Tonga, out of the side.

Fiji says it has nothing to lose, although coach Brad Johnstone said his players were just "boys" compared to the major rugby nations.

Scotland has a tricky playoff with Samoa, and will need no reminding that the South Sea Islanders beat Wales at the Millenium Stadium. But Samoa knows it's in for a tough physical match.

"If there is any team which stands up to us, it is Scotland," said Samoan skipper Pat Lam. "When we played them in 1991, Gavin Hastings came charging through off the first ruck as if to say, "we are coming."

"That is typical of the Scottish approach and I can't believe it will be any different this time."

Ireland, meanwhile, plays Argentina in Lens, France, in the other playoff and must avoid giving penalties away to the lethal Gonzalo Quesada, the tournament's top scorer.

Ireland will be looking to fly-half David Humphreys, preferred to Eric Elwood, to lead them to victory.

But Quesada believes the game will be decided by the two packs.

"There is going to be an almighty battle between the forwards," he predicted. "I know how the Irish play, they always want to make things tough. But I know that we can respond."

 

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