A verdict in the South African government's court clash with rugby union's administrators will be handed down in two week's time, the judge hearing the case said yesterday.

High Court Judge William De Villiers said he would be ready to deliver his verdict on April 17th.

The controversial South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) incurred the wrath of top sports and government officials last month when it hauled President Nelson Mandela before the court to be cross-examined.

SARFU had applied to the court to set aside Mandela's decision to order a judicial commission of inquiry into its affairs.

Mandela ordered the probe after allegations surfaced within SARFU of financial mismanagement, nepotism, racism and failure to promote the sport among South Africa's black communities.

De Villiers dismissed an application by the government to reopen the case in an attempt to prove that it had not been necessary to call Mandela.

The government wanted to cross-examine a journalist who quoted rugby boss Louis Luyt as saying that SARFU had never wanted to call Mandela as his affadavits had been sufficient.