Natal Sharks coach Rudolf Straeuli on Thursday lambasted national coach Harry Viljoen's handling of young Springbok flyhalf Butch James.

And he also hit out at suggestions that Gaffie du Toit is now the favourite to take over from his teammate as the national flyhalf.

Straeuli slammed Viljoen's treatment of the 22-year-old James. "Butch will never form a combination with Joost (van der Westhuizen) at scrumhalf and Braam (van Straaten) at inside centre. They can practice together forever, but they will never be a workable combination.

"And how can you have a flyhalf in your team who doesn't take the kick-offs, touch kicks or kicks at posts? What is his responsibility in the team if he doesn't do those things?

"Now a certain rugby writer says he hopes that knock-on against the All Blacks was the last time Butch touched a ball in a Springbok jersey. In the same breath he could have said he hoped Breyton Paulse never throws a pass like that again. I think the criticism on Butch was unfair.

"I will play Butch again and will do what is best for the Sharks, but if Harry says he wants to see certain players in specific positions, we will adhere to his requests."

Straeuli said he also read that Viljoen wants to use Du Toit at fullback. "If that is the case, I just wonder what is the yardstick the national selectors use to select players. I used Gaffie in the Super 12 at flyhalf and he was selected for the Boks in that position on the basis of less than one half of rugby.

"At the moment it seems Harry uses his personal opinion and not games to select the Bok team. He didn't use the Super 12 or the Currie Cup to select the Springbok team for the first three Tests and the Tri-Nations. Now Gaffie's name is being mentioned as possible Springbok, but he hasn't played for quite a while now. And why should I now drop Herkie Kruger, who has done a good job.

"Even Andre Pretorius has been mentioned, but he is also out injured. A guy should at least play a game to be mentioned as possible solution at Springbok level. I still think Butch is the right man for the job, he should just be used in the right combination."

On a more conciliatory note Streauli said if Viljoen puts in a formal request, he is more than willing to give Du Toit a run at flyhalf for the Natal Sharks.

Newspaper reports this week suggested that the talented, but injury-prone Du Toit is the frontrunner to take over from James as Springbok flyhalf. Viljoen apparently is looking for a big flyhalf with a good kicking boot and the ability to get his backline going.

Du Toit, who hasn't seen much action this year due to injuries, reportedly is the man Viljoen is looking to to provide the solution to South Africa's chronic flyhalf headache.

"If Gaffie is ready and fit I will play him at flyhalf, but he isn't and will be on the bench for our game against the Elephants this weekend," said Streauli. "I don't want to read in the newspapers that Harry wants Gaffie to play flyhalf for the Sharks. If he contacts me personally I would consider the request favourably."