Former Saints target to start for South Africa
The player at the centre of a controversial transfer to Northampton Saints has been recalled by South Africa.
Joe van Niekerk, whose switch to Franklin's Gardens last year was called off after medical tests, prompting the big No.8 to threaten legal action, is in the starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations opener against New Zealand.
Springboks coach Peter de Villiers recently brought Van Niekerk back into the fold after a spell in the international wilderness, with the 28-year-old coming off the bench against Italy last month.
But his recall to the starting line-up in place of Ryan Kankowski marks his first start for the Springboks since July 2006.
World Cup captain John Smit returns as the Springboks make seven changes.
Two of South Africa's World Cup winners, full-back Percy Montgomery and utility back Francois Steyn, were both relegated to the reserves bench.
The full article contains 156 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
03 July 2008 8:40 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Northampton
