Springboks giving nothing away
November 6, 2002

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli is giving nothing away ahead of this weekend's clash with France in Marseilles.

Straeuli will name his 22-man squad at lunchtime on Thursday, while the identity of the 15 starters will not be announced until 48 hours before kick-off.

The squad have held extremely private night training sessions this week that have even baffled the travelling South African media, with one reportedly commenting, "We are being treated like UN weapons inspectors. We know something's up but we are not allowed to see it."

The Springbok management have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep their night sessions private by using different training facilities and keeping the location a closely guarded secret.

Straeuli has cited the reason for this extreme preparation was that they were designed to simulate the conditions likely to prevail when his side on Saturday night.

It is expected that the secrecy will be reflected in a new look Springbok side as Straeuli's continues to look at his options ahead of next year's World Cup.

While forwards Willie Meyer, Lawrence Sephaka, James Dalton, Jannes Labuschagne, Corne Krige and Joe van Niekerk are all but assured of places in the starting line up, but there are potential areas for surprise including the whole back line.

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