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Moving forward Fynn to become first black Springbok forward
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -- Prop Etienne Fynn became the first black Springbok test forward when coach Harry Viljoen named him Wednesday in his team for Saturday's first test against France. The 28-year-old tighthead was one of three uncapped players in the starting XV and there were five in the 22 as Viljoen began his long-range planning for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Viljoen also gives test debuts to flyhalf Butch James and strapping left wing Dean Hall. Uncapped players on the bench are scrumhalf Neil de Kock and black utility back Conrad Jantjes. "Etienne had a great Super 12 for the Sharks," said Viljoen. "He is a promising player whose all-round game and option-taking is very good and I also believe that he deserves to play." His selection and that of Jantjes underlined Viljoen's commitment to fast-track black players into the Springbok squad. Jantjes was overlooked by Cats coach Laurie Mains for much of the Super 12, making only three replacement appearances. "Conrad is a player with a lot of ability," said Viljoen. "We are very committed (to transformation) and we believe that Conrad is good enough and that's why we've picked him. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play." Viljoen said he would use all seven of his replacements, which means former Springbok golden boy Bob Skinstad makes his return to the squad after recovering from a knee injury that kept him on the international sidelines for 18-months. France name three new caps France has named three new caps among eight changes from the team that lost 48-19 to England in April Number eight Patrick Tabacco of Stade Francais, center Yannick Jauzion of Colomiers and fullback Nicolas Jeanjean from Toulouse are all in the starting lineup. Three are also three debutants on the bench in the shape of Elvis Vermeulen of Brive, David Skrela (Colomiers) and Pepito Elhorga (Agen). France was thrashed in its last international by England, which finished its Six Nations season with an impressive display in the last half hour to destroy its rivals at Twickenham. The French have reacted by naming a young squad for the three-test tour of South Africa and New Zealand in a bid to build a side capable of winning the 2003 World Cup. "These youngsters are the players we are putting our hope in for the future," team manager Jo Maso said. "They are not household names, but we all have a desire to work towards the next World Cup. Whatever happens, we want to win, but we are also building for the future." The team will be captained by scrumhalf Fabien Galthie. The second test is in Durban on June 23. South Africa: 15-Percy Montgomery; 14-Breyton Paulse, 13-Japie Mulder, 12-De Wet Barry, 11-Dean Hall; 10-Butch James, 9-Joost van der Westhuizen; 8-Andre Vos (skipper), 7-Corne Krige, 6-Rassie Erasmus, 5-Mark Andrews, 4-Andre Venter, 3-Etienne Fynn, 2-John Smit, 1-Robbie Kempson France: 15 - Nicolas Jeanjean; 14-David Bory, 13-Yannick Jauzion, 12-Stephane Glas, 11-Christophe Dominici; 10-Gerald Merceron, 9-Fabien Galthie (captain); 8-Patrick Tabacco, 7-Olivier Magne, 6-Sebastien Chabal, 5-Olivier Bouzet, 4-David Auradou, 3-Pieter de Villiers, 2-Raphael Ibanez, 1-Jean Jacques Crenca.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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