Jonathan Bell's tour, not unexpectedly, is over. The hamstring problems which have plagued his season and ended his involvement after 35 minutes against Boland means he will accompany James Topping and Reggie Corrigan home tomorrow. Pending no further injuries today, the Irish management will not be calling up any further additions.
Henry Honiball has been ruled out of the Springboks' side to play Ireland in the first Test in Bloemfontein next Saturday due to a neck injury. This will almost certainly mean an international debut for the relatively inexperienced great white hope of South African rugby, 21-year-old Gaffie du Toit.
Springbok coach Nick Mallett will announce his selection on Monday and though he said that Honiball could play if necessary, "I won't risk playing him when he is not 100 per cent. We have a long international season ahead of us and I'd rather he misses one Test against Ireland than plays and is ruled out of the TriNations."
Mallett did not confirm who would replace Honiball but given he has been a decidedly adventurous coach by Springbok standards, du Toit is widely expected to be selected ahead of the squad's utility back Franco Smith.
The gnashing of teeth in these parts still echoes off Table Mountain as du Toit cut his teeth with Stellenbosch University but was not offered a contract by Western province last year. Moving swiftly, the once disgraced former Springbok and current Griqualand West coach Andre Markgraaff recognised this uncut diamond and brought him to the region noted for polishing its gems. Du Toit made a stunning impact in helping to guide Griquas to ultimate victory in the inaugural Vodacom Cup - a breeding ground for non-Super 12 players in which the 14 provinces were divided into two groups of seven and played 12 games each to determine the semi-finalists.
Du Toit, a big, strong potent runner with a monstrous right boot, signed off the Vodacom campaign by kicking 22 points in Griquas 57-0 win over the Golden Lions last Saturday, thereby bringing his competition tally to 234 points in 14 games. He was duly named Vodacom Cup player of the series.
The 21-year-old had merely set establishing himself in the post-international Currie Cup as his target for the rest of the year but seemingly his talent outshines his inexperience. Certainly Markgraaff thinks so.
"He's something else. He's a very special player. I would have no hesitation in playing him against Ireland. He is in form and good enough to meet the challenge."
If he plays, du Toit could be one of five changes from the side which ended the Sprinboks' awesome European tour last autumn with that thumping 68-10 win over Scotland, the other debutant being highly touted Boland rightwinger Stefan Terblanch (for the out of form and favour James Small), Ollie le Roux (for the injured Os du Randt), Pieter Muller (for the retired Dick Muir), with scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen returning at the expense of Werner Swanepoel.
