SOUTH AFRICA’S rugby reputation was tainted again yesterday after forward Bakkies Botha was banned for eight weeks and prop Robbie Kempson for four weeks in the aftermath of the spiteful Tri-Nations Test with Australia here.

DUNEDIN’S House of Pain awaits to derail the ACT Brumbies’ push for a semi-finals’ berth in this week’s Super 12 rugby feature match.

FORMER England fly-half Stuart Barnes has branded the Springboks as a “disgrace” in the wake of last weekend’s ill-tempered loss to England.

South African fullback Werner Greeff has been cited following his dangerous tackle on England wing Phil Christophers during the Test match at Twickenham on Saturday.

Christian Cullen, the leading try-scorer in New Zealand's Test history, is back at full-back this Saturday's clash with the high-riding French team at the Stade de France in Paris.

Coach Rudi Straeuli has stayed loyal to the South Africa side that started in the narrow 30-23 loss to New Zealand last Saturday for the visit of Australia this Saturday.

Western Province scrumhalf Neil de Kock was the surprise inclusion in the Springbok side to play against New Zealand in the Vodacom Tri-Nations at Durban tomorrow.

South Africa have made three changes for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand.

TOM TIERNEY was unveiled yesterday by the Leicester Tigers as part of a £1m transfer coup aimed at strengthening their position at the pinnacle of European rugby.

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli has taken a huge gamble by including exciting young utility back Brent Russell at full-back for the weekend’s second Test against Wales in Cape Town.