Snyman, Halstead poised for comebacks

Durban – If Sharks centre pairing Trevor Halstead and Andre Snyman were to be named in the starting line-up for the Springboks’ first Test against Scotland in Durban on Saturday it would present a major comeback for the two players.

Both Natalians have recovered from career threatening injuries and are now major contenders for the Bok midfield duo to play at the World Cup in October.

Halstead and Snyman could not contain their obvious delight at getting the nod from the Bok selectors for the squad ahead of the Scotland game when they met the media in an informal breakfast at their Durban hotel yesterday.

Halstead played the last of his four Test matches against the United States Eagles in 2001 and then spent a year recuperating from a near crippling knee injury.

“It is absolutely brilliant to be back,” Halstead said. “I just never knew if I would be able to resume my international career as I spent so long in rehab. I was always hopeful but at the same time I was prepared for the worst. Now it’s all systems go and I aim to get to the World Cup.”

Snyman, by contrast, a veteran of 34 Tests for South Africa, was laid low by two damaging ankle injuries that would have ruled a lesser man out of contention. His iron man determination saw him star for the Sharks in the Super 12 competition this season and he has maintained his aura of being one of the true hard men of the midfield.

Snyman and Halstead probably know each other better than any other pairing in Springbok rugby at present. Not only are they team-mates in the Natal rugby Sharks set-up but as members of this current squad are tour room mates as well. So if selected for Saturday they should have a predictable understanding of what is required of them.

Both described the current Bok side as being composed of a “nice group of guys” with a common purpose in mind – to restore SA’s rugby pride.

After the media briefing the Boks were off to relax on the golf course ahead of their final preparations. They will have a closed practice session today, a relaxing day tomorrow and a captain-coaching run on Friday.

Meanwhile, in Umhlanga, the Scottish team remained in hibernation. Their practice sessions have been declared “closed” and they will only show their hand at a media briefing this afternoon. – Sapa

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