South Africa are expected to field an under-strength side for their specially-arranged summer Test match against Wales.
Wales likely to face an under-strength Springboks team
South Africa are expected to field an under-strength side for their specially-arranged summer Test match against Wales, according to Players' Association boss Piet Heymans.
Heymans believes Springboks' demanding schedule for 2010 could see fewer regulars named for Millennium Stadium clash on June 5, which will mark the 10th anniversary of the venue.
The Cardiff showdown, which increases the world champions' Test count for the year to 14, has come under fire for putting more strain on the players in the run-up to their world title defence.
The clash is also scheduled a week after the conclusion of the Super 14 tournament, and South African Rugby Players' Association (SARPA) chief executive officer Heymans believes coach Peter de Villiers will be left with little choice than to field a weakened side.
"We're very conscious of having to manage the players well this year, just 12 months out from the World Cup," Heymans told
The Star.
"Players will be managed on an individual basis and, as this specific Wales Test comes just a week after the Super 14 final and a week before the Test against France, a number of regular Boks won't be considered.
"Everything will depend on how much time individual players have spent on the field."
Absent
Defending Super 14 champions, the Bulls, are the biggest source of national team players and their promising start to the tournament could see Springboks left without several men for the trip to Wales.
It has been reported that players from sides that qualify for the semi-finals could also be rested, meaning Stormers and Sharks players could also be absent.
South African Rugby Union (SARU) president Oregon Hoskins admitted the timing of the match was "untimely" earlier this week, but was adamant his organisation could not turn down the fixture after they were "begged" by the Wales Rugby Union to compete.
The 2007 World Cup-winners will face France a week after the Wales clash before back-to-back Tests against Italy, the Tri-Nations and their end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom.
