South Africa add Van der Linde for Tri-Nations tour

by David Legge

RUGBY: JOHANNESBURG, July 16 (AFP) - World Cup-winning prop CJ van der Linde has been added to a severely depleted South Africa squad for Tri-Nations Tests in Australia and New Zealand this month.

The Western Stormers front row, who can play on either side of the scrum, was drafted in as cover for several injured players among a 27-strong group preparing in Johannesburg this week for the annual southern hemisphere tournament.

Lock Johann Muller and flank Heinrich Brussow were declared fit just hours before the squad left Johannesburg, but coach Peter de Villiers decided to add 2007 World Cup winner Van der Linde as he lacks experienced props.

Looseheads Coenie Oosthuizen and Dean Greyling and tighthead Werner Kruger have never worn the green and gold in a Test and Van der Linde could well don the number three jersey against Australia on July 23 in Sydney.

Injuries have severely disrupted the South African Tri-Nations build-up with 21 players - including many probable first choices for the World Cup in New Zealand during September and October - ruled out of the away leg. Australian and New Zealand officials expressed shock at such a large number of injuries while De Villiers insisted those sidelined were genuine casualties after a long, physically draining Super 15 championship season.

South Africa wrapped up training under clear mid-winter skies Friday at a high school in an upscale Johannesburg suburb with the coach dangling World Cup carrots at his virtual 'B' squad.

"I told the players this is their chance to prove they are ready to win places in the World Cup squad," said the coach who lost five of six Tri-Nations matches last season. De Villiers also scoffed at the 'B' team tag given to a squad containing only two probable World Cup first choices - hooker and captain John Smit and fly-half Morne Steyn.