Springboks coach wields axe for second test

DURBAN - Springboks coach Harry Viljoen has made five changes to his side for Sunday's second rugby test against France, following his team's 23-32 defeat last weekend.

Viljoen was stunned by the physical supremacy of the French pack in the scrums and lineouts, and had been widely tipped to make sweeping changes.

Thinus Delport comes in at fullback for Percy Montgomery, whose poor performance against France in Johannesburg was compounded by missing four of 10 kicks at goal.

Robbie Fleck takes Japie Mulder's place at centre and Andre Venter's rib injury opened the door for proming young lock Albert Van den Berg.

Both props get the chop, with uncomfortable-looking Robbie Kempson making way for Ollie Le Roux and Willie Meyer replacing Etienne Fynn, who was the first black forward to represent South Africa.

On the bright side, 21-year-old first five-eighths Butch James takes over as goalkicker after making a fine debut and enjoying an outstanding Super 12 tournament with the Sharks.

The French are so confident that there is still no place in the starting XV for their most experienced player, prop Christian Califano.

"We were very happy with the performance last weekend," coach Bernard Laporte said.

"However, it is likely that we will make changes for the next test, against New Zealand. I want to keep the pressure on the players and make sure that no one takes his place for granted."

Unlike Johannesburg, where France boast a 100 per cent record in four tests, Durban has been kind to the Springboks, with two victories and two draws against the French.

South Africa: Thinus Delport, Breyton Paulse, Robbie Fleck, De Wet Barry, Dean Hall, Butch James, Joost Van der Westhuizen, Corne Krige, Andre Vos (capt), Rassie Erasmus, Mark Andrews, Albert Van den Berg, Willie Meyer, John Smit, Ollie Le Roux. Reserves: Robbie Kempson, Etienne Fynn, Johan Ackerman, Bobby Skinstad, Neil de Kock, Percy Montgomery, Conrad Jantjes.

France: Nicolas Jeanjean, Christophe Dominici, Stephane Glas, Yannick Jauzion, David Bory, Gerald Merceron, Fabien Galthi (capt), Olivier Magne, Patrick Tabacco, Sebastian Chabal, Olivier Brouzet, David Auradou, Pieter De Villiers, Raphael Ibanez, Jean-Jacques Crenca. Reserves: Olivier Azam, Christian Califano, Lionel Nallet, Elvis Vermeulen, Pierre Mignoni, David Skrela, Pepito Elhorga.