Springbok prop Cobus Visagie's positive result in a test for banned substances in October was confirmed by a second, control, test last week, the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) said yesterday. SARFU said Visagie, who has played 18 internationals, will now appear before a disciplinary tribunal of the rugby body in Cape Town on December 5th and 6th.
According to SARFU's legal representative Christo Ferreira, the 27-year-old prop had tested positive for the steroid 19nonrando-sterone.
If found guilty, Visagie could be banned from rugby for two years, Ferreira said.
Warren Brosnihan has recovered from a knee injury and is included in the South Africa midweek team to take on Wales A at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff tomorrow night.
The Natal Sharks number eight will be aiming for an impressive display as he attempts to force his way back into the 22man squad for the full international against Wales on Sunday.
South Africa (midweek team to face Wales A): du Toit; Terblanche, Kayser, Mulder, Passens; Rossouw, van Zyl (capt); Brosnihan, Gerber, Wasserman, Louw, Matfield, Sephaka, du Preez, van der Merwe. Replacements: Manana, Davids, Flynn, Marais, Loubscher, Davidson.
ENGLAND may have beaten the world champions Australia at the weekend but they still have everything to prove as far as Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen is concerned.
Arriving back in Sydney yesterday, Macqueen shrugged off Saturday's last-gasp 22-19 loss at Twickenham and insisted that Australia's preparations to defend their World Cup title in 2003 were on track.
He pointed out that he had fielded new combinations in every section of the team apart from the second row.
Crucially, Macqueen expects the majority of his current squad still to be around in 2003 - something he doubts will be the case for England.
But after a weekend that saw France topple New Zealand and Ireland stretch South Africa, Macqueen acknowledged the Northern Hemisphere nations were getting stronger. "They are very chuffed about the fact they're competitive. There's no doubt that they are coming up."
LEINSTER SCHOOLS' JUNIOR CUP - Section A: Skerries CS 20, St Oliver's 19.
