Bentley likely to take place of injured Evans

WELSH international wing Ieuan Evans, the most experienced player in the Lions party, will take no further part in the tour. Evans has been ruled out by a groin injury, and that represents a setback to the Lions coming as it does just three days before the crucial second Test against the Springboks in King's Park on Saturday.

While Evans has not been withdrawn officially, and the Lions manager, Fran Cotton, admitted that Evans' injury was causing "considerable anxiety", Evans has confirmed that he has absolutely no hope of playing on Saturday, or indeed on Saturday week.

There was, too, some anxiety about Ireland second row Jeremy Davidson after he got a knock on his right shin in training early yesterday afternoon, but fortunately it is no more than bruising and her will definitely be fit for the Test.

Evans, who last Saturday played in his seventh consecutive Test for the Lions, having played in all three Tests in Australia in 1989 and again in all three in New Zealand in 1993, said: "I have absolutely no chance of playing on. Saturday or in the third Test. I have to resign myself to the fact that my tour is over.

"It is going to take quite a bit of time for me to get fit. The groin is very sore and it is even uncomfortable to walk. I am very disappointed, but there are quality players available for the wing and, indeed, to replace any of us who played last Saturday.

"I had been hoping early in the week that the problem might clear up, but that hope is now gone. I may return home early next week."

Davidson did not train last night when the Lions had a second session. "I got a bit of a fright and there was some suspicion that I might have had a real problem. I went for Xray as a precaution, but it is just bruising and I am very relieved.

"If I am selected, I am sure I will be able to play on Saturday," said Davidson. There is not a doubt but that he will be selected.

The Lions will name their side for the Test today and it is likely that John Bentley will replace Evans. Eric Miller, after his excellent display against Free State on Tuesday night, could also be in the team, along with Paul Wallace and Keith Wood, both certainties along with Davidson.

Evans is the second Lions player to be ruled out of the tour in 24 hours. Centre Will Greenwood, was concussed in the win over Free State on Tuesday night. He will be staying with the party until Monday. It was discovered that, apart from being concussed. Greenwood also has a dislocated shoulder and that will keep him inactive for two months. He had been detained in hospital in Bloemfontein overnight but travelled back to Durban yesterday.

Cotton said they had not yet decided on a replacement for Greenwood. The Lions management team was due to discuss the question of possible replacements for Evans and Greenwood last night and will make a statement today. "It depends on several things," said Cotton, "such as who would be available." Ireland international centre Robert Henderson would be a candidate pending availability if the Lions decide they need to replace Greenwood for the last week of the tour.

The Springboks yesterday named their team for the Test, and as anticipated it shows three changes in personnel and a positional alteration from the side that lost 16-25 last Saturday. Three of the four three quarters who played last Saturday have been ruled out: James Small, Japie Mulder and Edrich Lubbe.

The Springboks bring in two new caps, both from Western Province, Percy Montgomery, who has been named in the centre and Pieter Rossouw, who is on the left wing. There is a recall for the Northern Transvaal centre Danie Van Schalkwyk, who scored two tries for Northern Transvaal in their win over the Lions. He was capped three times last season. He will partner Montgomery (23), in the centre, while the only threequarter who played in the Test last week who is still in the team Andrew Snyman, moves from the left to the right wing.

Defeat is alleged to have the effect of concentrating the mind. It is also apparent that the defeat suffered by the Springboks in the first Test last Saturday has brought recriminations, suspicions and accusations.

Everyone, it seems, is getting in on the act. Kitch Christie, who coached the Springboks team that won the World Cup in 1995, went public, criticising the current management set up and, by implication, Du Plessis. On Tuesday night former South African Rugby Union chief executive Edward Griffiths had his say on a television programme.

His comments about the integrity of those in charge in 1995 yesterday has been interpreted as innuendo that the current management does not have it. Griffiths' comments brought a sharp response from Springboks manager Arthur Petersen yesterday.

After Petersen announced the team for next Saturday, he expressed his disapproval and disappointment at Griffiths' comments. "I would like to stress that the current team management has total integrity and that no member of the management team was given the opportunity to state a case on the programme.

In the interim, even though Small, Lubbe and Mulder are all ruled out by injury, World Cup centre Hennie Le Roux has not been called in. Du Plessis said he had spoken to Le Roux who had told him he had a "niggling groin injury". Du Plessis said it is imperative that all players must be 100 per cent fit to play lest rugby.

Le Roux, however, played for Gauteng last Friday against the Scotland development team and continues to be available for his province. It is quite evident from comments made in the newspapers here that there is a strong belief that Le Roux had been left out of the Springboks squad because of a personal difference with South African union president Louis Luyt, who is also president of Gauteng.

Du Plessis has stressed that there is no interference in team selection. He seems to be having quite a task convincing some members of a sceptical South African press and sections of the public that such is the case.