Springboks select killer

CONVICTED killer Henry Tromp has been included in the Springbok squad to face Australia in the tri-nations rugby test in Bloemfontein next weekend.

The 29-year-old Northern Transvaal player was convicted of manslaughter in 1993 after a farm labourer died from injuries sustained during a beating for "disciplinary reasons".

Tromp is likely to play second fiddle to first choice hooker John Allan in Saturday's match, but his selection provoked extended debate among the national selectors, resulting in a three-hour delay in the announcement of the squad.

Rian Oberholzer, chief executive of the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU), said: "SARFU is fully aware of the history of Henry Tromp. But the player has been selected for the squad and deserves his chance."

Tromp is one of three changes to the national squad who lost to Australia 21-16 and New Zealand 15-11 on the away leg of the series.

Transvaal lock Hannes Strydom comes in for Natal's Steve Atherton, while Griqualand West prop Dawie Theron receives a surprise call-up.

The front ranker has emerged from the unheralded province, the former charges of Springbok coach Andre Markgraaf.

Tromp replaces Naka Drotske and Theron comes in for Balie Swart.

Australia leave for South Africa today without two of their most important players, Tim Horan and Garrick Morgan, after New Zealand secured the tri-nations series with an emphatic final quarter performance in Brisbane on Saturday.

Australia's hopes of overcoming the despair of losing a Bledisloe Cup match they should have so easily won by bouncing back against South Africa in Bloemfontein, has been dimmed, by the unavailability of Morgan and Horan.

Morgan broke his right hand during the first half, and the Wallaby management decided yesterday against taking Horan to South Africa with the 25-man-squad after he fractured his nose in three places during a freak training accident last week.

The Wallabies' morale has not been helped by losing a Test they dominated for 60 minutes, and where they had done more than enough to set up a valiant victory. Australia were ahead 22-9, and cruising. But the ability of the All Black beast to react when cornered prompted an extraordinary, final 20-minute effort; they scored 23 points, through two converted tries and three penalties, to charge past Australia.

New Zealand also travel to South Africa today to play the Springboks in Capetown on August 10th, relieved that the hard work is already over. South Africa are unable to accumulate enough points in the final two matches to overtake New Zealand, who are unbeaten on three wins.