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Springboks drop Van der Westhuizen
Posted: Wednesday July 05, 2000 02:58 PM
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Former South African rugby captain Joost Van der Westhuizen was dropped from the team on Wednesday for the first time in his seven-year test career. Needing to play just one more match to become his country's most-capped player, the Springbok scrum half lost his place to Werner Swanepoel for Saturday's Nelson Mandela Cup match against Australia. Van der Westhuizen has been struggling with his form since returning to the game in May after injuring his knee during the 1999 World Cup. He equalled Mark Andrews' South African record of 61 test appearances in last month's second test loss to England in Bloemfontein and although he scored his team's only try, he had a poor game by his own high standards. Although he was retained on the substitutes bench, Van der Westhuizen was among six changes to the side that lost to England. Flyhalf Braam van Straaten, who was replaced by Louis Koen, was not considered after suffering a concussion against England. 21-year-old center De Wet Barry and experienced winger Pieter Roussouw were cut from the back line, replaced by Japie Mulder and Thinus Delport. The Springboks also made two changes to their pack with flanker Rassie Erasmus returning from an ankle injury to take his place at the expense of Corne Krige and Albert van den Berg filling in for the injured Selborne Boome at lock. Saturday's match will be the first meeting between Australia and South Africa since last year's epic World Cup semifinal, which the Wallabies won 27-21 in extra time. The match, which will be played at Melbourne's Colonial Stadium with the retractable roof closed, will also be the first test ever played indoors. Teams:
South Africa: 15-Percy Montgomery; 14-Breyton Paulse, 13-Robbie Fleck, 12-Japie Mulder, 11-Thinus Delport; 10-Louis Koen, 9-Werner Swanepoel; 8-Andre Vos (captain), 7-Andre Venter, 6-Rassie Erasmus, 5-Krynauw Otto, 4-Albert van der Berg, 3-Cobus Visagie, 2-Charl Marais, 1-Robbie Kempson.
Australia: 15-Chris Latham; 14-Stirling Mortlock, 13-Daniel Herbert, 12-Rod Kafer, 11-Joe Roff; 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-George Gregan; 8-Jim Williams, 7-David Wilson, 6-Mark Connors, 5-John Eales (captain), 4-David Giffin; 3-Fletcher Dyson, 2-Michael Foley, 1-Richard Harry.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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