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Stephen Nell
Johannesburg - Ace fetcher Heinrich Brüssow may not tour with the Springboks to Australia and New Zealand in this year's Tri-Nations.
Brüssow and lock Johann Muller still have to pass fitness tests on Friday before getting the go ahead to board the plane for Sydney that same evening.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said that Brüssow would be managed conservatively to ensure that he recovers fully from a knee injury. Muller sustained a light hamstring injury last week.
De Villiers views Brüssow as a key man for this year's World Cup that will be played in New Zealand in September and October.
Brüssow played his last Test against Ireland in Dublin in November 2009 and has been struggling badly with injuries for the past year or so.
"Every time he has come back from injury he has been pushed back too early and maybe we did the same with him last week. So we're happy to be over-cautious now - he is a valuable player and we can't let him rest enough," said De Villiers.
"I'm hopeful he can play, but I won't push him because he is one of those players that you build a team around."
It appears in any event that De Villiers is planning on taking on the Wallabies in Sydney on 23 July with Deon Stegmann as openside flank.
Stegmann made his Test debut on last year's end-of-season tour to Britain and Ireland. Brüssow and Schalk Burger were also injured then.
It is anticipated that Stegmann will make up the loose-trio with Ashley Johnson and Danie Rossouw.
If Johnson plays, he will be one of a number of players to make his Test debut. The same will probably apply to props Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger, while scrumhalf Charl McLeod, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and prop Coenie Oosthuizen may also get their first taste of Test rugby off the substitutes bench.
McLeod was recently called up after Ricky Januarie announced his retirement from international rugby.
"I wasn't expecting it, but when Ricky retired they phoned and informed me that I was in the squad. I'm delighted and want to grab this opportunity," said McLeod.
"Every guy has an opinion of the team that we are sending over, but you always give 100% when you pull over a Springbok jersey. That is what every player will do."
South Africa are expected to pick Ruan Pienaar and Morné Steyn as their halfback pairing against the Wallabies.
McLeod is the second scrumhalf in the squad and his Test debut therefore appears to be a fait accompli. He also realises how strong the Boks' opposition will be.
"Will Genia and Quade Cooper were probably the form halfback pairing in Super Rugby, with Andy Ellis and Dan Carter not far behind. They are very good, but everything does not revolve around two players," said McLeod.
Pienaar and Steyn will at least give South Africa experience in the key decision-making positions.
Johannesburg - Ace fetcher Heinrich Brüssow may not tour with the Springboks to Australia and New Zealand in this year's Tri-Nations.
Brüssow and lock Johann Muller still have to pass fitness tests on Friday before getting the go ahead to board the plane for Sydney that same evening.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said that Brüssow would be managed conservatively to ensure that he recovers fully from a knee injury. Muller sustained a light hamstring injury last week.
De Villiers views Brüssow as a key man for this year's World Cup that will be played in New Zealand in September and October.
Brüssow played his last Test against Ireland in Dublin in November 2009 and has been struggling badly with injuries for the past year or so.
"Every time he has come back from injury he has been pushed back too early and maybe we did the same with him last week. So we're happy to be over-cautious now - he is a valuable player and we can't let him rest enough," said De Villiers.
"I'm hopeful he can play, but I won't push him because he is one of those players that you build a team around."
It appears in any event that De Villiers is planning on taking on the Wallabies in Sydney on 23 July with Deon Stegmann as openside flank.
Stegmann made his Test debut on last year's end-of-season tour to Britain and Ireland. Brüssow and Schalk Burger were also injured then.
It is anticipated that Stegmann will make up the loose-trio with Ashley Johnson and Danie Rossouw.
If Johnson plays, he will be one of a number of players to make his Test debut. The same will probably apply to props Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger, while scrumhalf Charl McLeod, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and prop Coenie Oosthuizen may also get their first taste of Test rugby off the substitutes bench.
McLeod was recently called up after Ricky Januarie announced his retirement from international rugby.
"I wasn't expecting it, but when Ricky retired they phoned and informed me that I was in the squad. I'm delighted and want to grab this opportunity," said McLeod.
"Every guy has an opinion of the team that we are sending over, but you always give 100% when you pull over a Springbok jersey. That is what every player will do."
South Africa are expected to pick Ruan Pienaar and Morné Steyn as their halfback pairing against the Wallabies.
McLeod is the second scrumhalf in the squad and his Test debut therefore appears to be a fait accompli. He also realises how strong the Boks' opposition will be.
"Will Genia and Quade Cooper were probably the form halfback pairing in Super Rugby, with Andy Ellis and Dan Carter not far behind. They are very good, but everything does not revolve around two players," said McLeod.
Pienaar and Steyn will at least give South Africa experience in the key decision-making positions.
