Outhalf worry for Springboks

Ireland v South Africa Jaco van der Westhuyzen is the main injury concern for South Africa ahead of Saturday's Test match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road. The former Leicester utility back - he is currently playing at club level in Japan - is considered doubtful with a cut finger that required six stitches.

It is not merely a surface wound but rather down to the tendon so Springbok coach Jake White must make contingency plans. That was foremost in his mind as White opted for a closed training session yesterday to run through one or two permutations in the number 10 jersey.

Referring to van der Westhuyzen, the coach suggested: "we have to be careful that the wound doesn't go septic and make sure that no moisture gets near the cut. It's more about whether it's going to heal in time.

"It was actually on the sensitive part of his finger and he went to a hand specialist to get it sewn up. It went through his tendons and that sort of thing - it wasn't just a surface cut.

"We're being very conservative about it right now but we'll give him the benefit of the doubt; I think Jaco could be fit to play. We will give him until Wednesday or Thursday if necessary."

Van der Westhuyzen has solved what was a problem position for South Africa over the past couple of seasons and was a try scorer in his side's 38-36 victory over Wales in the Millennium Stadium last Saturday. If his damaged finger was to rule him out of the Ireland game it would be a significant setback for the Springboks.

A potential successor is not immediately obvious. White confirmed he would not be calling on anyone from the South Africa A team's tour of Argentina because of travelling time between South America and Ireland. Instead he must look within his squad to fill the potential gap.

Gaffie du Toit - he's recovered from a back strain - Brent Russell and Percy Montgomery have been mentioned and may be afforded an opportunity to press their claims during training this week. Montgomery, who could become the first Springbok to score 400 points in Test rugby if he can rack up 19 against Ireland this Saturday, is first choice at fullback and White may not want to have to make more than one alteration to his backline.

Russell came on as a replacement last Saturday, taking over from van der Westhuyzen, while du Toit has filled the outhalf role before for the Springboks. The South Africans will have an open session at Stradbrook tomorrow but for the remainder of the week will train behind closed doors.

White confirmed everyone else in the squad is fit and that A J Venter, unavailable for selection at the weekend, is in contention for the game at Lansdowne Road. Captain and hooker John Smit suggested that this week "could be the most important of the tour."

He suggested that conditions in the Millennium stadium last Saturday gave his team-mates a vital lesson ahead of this weekend's game. "Sometimes it's better when the weather is really bad, it brings up the mud and a bit of dirt gets on the ball; it makes life a little bit easier. But there was just a bit of moisture so it was really slippery underfoot and obviously the ball (was slippery).

"I think guys were taking it for granted because of where we come from, how easy it is to keep a hold of the ball in the dry conditions, so it's probably one of the best lessons in terms of experiences we've had so far here." It was put to White that some sections of the Irish media had suggested a certain arrogance in the Springboks outlook about the upcoming match but the South African coach dismissed the notion. He suggested that players must believe they can win Test matches and if they don't have that notion then they're not likely to win.

There were certainly areas of the Welsh game that pleased him. "I thought our lineout was good and our counter-attacking was good from turnover ball.

"I was pleased about the interlinking of the back row and the backs. There were enough positives from the game. It didn't look as bad on the video as it did when you see the scoreline 38-36.

"It's easier to learn lessons when you have won the game. We need to be more accurate and patient." The Springboks will confirm their team at lunch-time today following a morning training session.