Van der Linde's surprise 'Bok call-up a boost toLeinster's title defence
Tuesday November 10 2009
LEINSTER prop CJ van der Linde has been called up to the South Africa squad for Friday's clash with France after Johann Du Plessis was ruled out of their European tour with a hand injury.
In a break with recent protocol precluding players who move to the northern hemisphere from representing the Springboks, Van der Linde -- who won the last of his 56 caps against Australia in 2008 -- is due to join up with Peter de Villiers' party in France tomorrow.
It is a move that could benefit Leinster coach Michael Cheika as Van der Linde is short on game time following his lengthy period out of action with an injured toe.
Cheika has been easing the World Cup-winning tight-head back into action as he bids to build him back up to speed and playing with the Springboks in November would help ready Van der Linde for the Heineken Cup champions' back-to-back clashes with the Scarlets.
It is a timely move for South Africa coach De Villiers also, after he watched his second string take a fearful battering in the scrum during their defeat to Leicester last Friday (when Du Plessis sustained his injury).
De Villiers has also lost hooker Chiliboy Ralapelle and prop Gurthro Steenkamp following that bruising encounter with the Tigers.
While Van der Linde specialises at tight-head, he can play both sides of the scrum and, with captain John Smit still viewed as a potential weakness following his switch to tight-head from hooker, having the Leinster giant available should be a source of considerable comfort.
There is also the intriguing possibility of Van der Linde going up against his Leinster team-mate Cian Healy when South Africa meet Ireland at Croke Park on November 28. Healy, who started getting regular game time with Leinster last season when Van der Linde's injury saw Stan Wright switch to tight-head, has been in superb form this season and is expected to earn his first cap against Australia when Ireland name their team tomorrow.
France have named a powerful team for the clash in Toulouse, with the big surprise the naming of Damien Traille at full-back ahead of Maxime Medard.
Francois Trinh-Duc gets the nod at out-half alongside Julien Dupuy while coach Marc Lievremont has gone with a centre partnership of Maxime Mermoz and Yann David. Vincent Clerc and Cedric Heymans fill the wings while another Toulouse man, Thierry Dusatoir, gets his first outing as France's full-time captain, taking over from second-row Lionel Nallet.
Meanwhile, Alex Grove has admitted his surprise at being handed his Scotland debut for Saturday's opening autumn international against Fiji but insisted he was ready for the biggest game of his career.
Worcester centre Grove was the only uncapped player named in the team for Andy Robinson's first game as head coach and the 21-year-old cannot wait to get his Test career started.
"It was a bit of a surprise, to tell you the truth," Grove said. "I've had a week now to get my head round the fact that I'm starting and I just can't wait for Saturday."
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- Hugh Farrelly
Irish Independent
