Botha back after ban

SOUTH AFRICA bad-boy Bakkies Botha has been named in the Springboks side to face Uruguay in their opening World Cup match on Saturday as skipper Corne Krige was rested.

Botha will play his first match since returning from an eight-week ban imposed for skullduggery during a spiteful Tri Nations match against Australia in August.

The uncompromising lock forward was picked by coach Rudolf Straueli yesterday to partner Victor Matfield in the second row at the Subiaco Oval as the Springboks prepare for their Pool C crunch against England Second row Botha was disciplined amid furious allegations from the Wallaby camp of foul play during the Springboks’ 29-9 defeat in Brisbane.

A hearing found Botha guilty of “attacking the face” of Australian hooker Brendan Cannon, but said there was not enough evidence to charge him with eye-gouging and biting.

Straueli, meanwhile, handed centre Jaque Fourie and flanker Danie Roussow debut caps after deciding to rest captain Krige, who picked up a minor hamstring strain in training.

He said there was no chance of Krige missing the England match, which is likely to determine the winners of the pool.

“It is not really serious, he had a cramp last night, we pulled him off and we had him on ice. He was with the physio and he’ll definitely be ready for next week,” Straueli said.

“It is a setback in preparation but other players can step in,” he added.

Scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, the only survivor from South Africa’s 1995 World Cup victory, will captain the Springboks in Krige’s absence.

Fullback Werner Greeff will play his first Test since November after a season plagued by injury.

Straueli is a known admirer of Greeff, who now looks set to retain his place against England.

The South African coach said the Springbok XV was virtually the strongest available for selection. “It is a very strong side Straueli said.

“This is an important competition, there are bonus points there and you are not really allowed to experiment.”