Boks ponder full-back dilemma
South African Tour
November 27, 2000

South Africa need to find a new full-back in time to face England at Twickenham on Saturday after losing first choice Thinus Delport to injury.

Percy Montgomery is the most likely candidate, switching from fly-half to take over from Delport as he did when his team-mate went off in the last-gasp 23-13 win over Wales on Sunday after receiving a bang on the head.

When Delport was forced off just after half-time against Wales, Montgomery switched from fly-half and Chris van Straaten from centre. Grant Esterhuizen came off the bench to play centre.

That is the most likely change for coach Harry Viljoen, particularly as it would keep intact the line-up which finally beat Wales.

Delport has been ruled out of the tour because of concussion and will miss the remaining games against England and the Barbarians.

South Africa, whose second string face a National Division XV at Worcester tomorrow, will miss the powerful runner for the Twickenham clash which is expected to be their toughest test of the tour.

South African winger Pieter Rossouw, who pulled a hamstring in the 21st minute against Wales, is expected to be fit for Saturday's game.

``Pieter pulled a hamstring and Thinus Delport got a bump against the head,'' Viljoen told the South African RFU website. ``Pieter is not serious but Thinus has concussion and will be out for the next three weeks.''

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