Mallett criticised over dropping of Teichmann

The media, fans and provincial coaches reacted with outrage yesterday to South African coach Nick Mallett's axing of captain Gary Teichmann two months before the rugby union World Cup.

Most believed Teichmann, who has played 42 Tests for South Africa and captained the team a record 36 times, had been treated shabbily by Mallett. The coach announced on Monday that scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen had been appointed captain for the home leg of the TriNations against New Zealand and Australia, as well as for the World Cup in October. Radio talk shows were inundated yesterday, with callers accusing Mallett of being "high-handed" and "inconsistent". Some complained that Teichmann had been tossed aside after a demanding four years during which he was called on to play too much rugby.

"It came as a shock to us and it's a hell of a blow to Gary," said Natal coach Ian McIntosh.

"It was shabby treatment. It's hard to comprehend. One minute we're saying inexperience cost us the Tri-Nations Tests against New Zealand and Australia and then an experienced captain is axed."

Free State coach Peet Kleynhans said he believed Teichmann returned too soon after his knee injury. "If he's right, he should definitely play," he said. A partial tear to a knee ligament kept Teichmann out of much of the Super 12 campaign.

Teichmann said: "Although it is apparent I no longer fit into the plans for the Tri-Nations and World Cup, I still believe I am capable of playing and captaining at Test level."

Van der Westhuizen accepted he faced a tough job after the team's recent defeats. "What we have to do is to start from the beginning, and say: `Where are we going, where is the team going?' We'll have to fix everyone's mind on the same goal."

Meanwhile, the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) is set to impose minimum quotas of black players in the Currie Cup competition next month after losing patience with provincial unions.

Chief executive Rian Oberholzer said yesterday that SARFU would take the step at next month's executive committee meeting, carrying through a threat made to unions in June. Provinces had been told quotas would be imposed if they did not show a commitment to transforming the largely white sport by fielding black players.

"They are forcing us to bring in quotas," said Oberholzer. "It seems to us that certain provinces are playing the game but others have taken the position `let's wait until SARFU forces us'."

South Africa's nine northern provinces will be required to field one black player in every Currie Cup game with the five southern provinces directed to use two black players.

The majority of provinces have conformed to, and in some cases exceeded SARFU's guidelines fielding as many as six black players in a starting XV. But others - such as Free State and Natal - have almost completely ignored them. Last weekend, both sides again fielded all-white sides.