Sauls to rescue young Bok from Aussies

South Africa's under-21 coach Eric Sauls has made it his number one task to try to prevent one of his victorious young charges, Daniel Vickermann, from being lost lost to Australia this year, but he may already be too late.

Soon after his arrival in Sydney with the Cats - Sauls is assistant coach to Laurie Mains - for their Super 12 clash with the NSW Waratahs, he discovered that the young Western Province forward had come to Australia and is studying on a scholarship at Sydney University.

Disappointed by his failure to be contracted by Western Province or any of the other unions, Vickermann, one of the individual stars of South Africa's wonderful triumph in last year's world championship in Argentina, has set his sights on progressing his playing career, and, for the moment, Australia offers the talented 20-year-old lock forward the best chance to do that

"We can't afford to let promising young talent like Daniel simply move away," said Sauls, who goes back to preparing the SA under 21 squad for the tournament in New Zealand - Wellington is the likely venue - from July 17-31 after the completion of Super 12.

"I'll be taking the issue up with Sarfu when I get back from the Cats' tour because I want Daniel to be part of the squad and perhaps we can find a way to accomodate him for the tournament while he studies this year in Sydney."

However, what Sauls is probably not aware of is that several Australian rugby personalties have been watching Vickermann and are more than interested in bringing him into their scheme of things. Waratahs' coach Ian Kennedy has his eye on him and should the Waratahs be hit by a bad run of injuries to their forwards, Vickermann could be targetted to fill in. Furthermore, Daniel has Australian family links - his grandfather was born there - and he could be in demand for their national under-21 squad.

At this point, young Vickermann does not have to be in any hurry to take a decision. The Vickermanns are a close family and dad Les - a veterinary surgeon in Cape Town - revealed that they may soon be leaving Cape Town for Sydney to have a look-see for a year.

Daniel's presence at Sydney University this year is a part of the rationale behind the intended trip and if their son does go places quickly in Australian rugby, his folks will be on hand to get a close look at his progress.

Vickermann played several Vodacom Cup games for Western Province last year, mostly as a replacement, and did well enough to attract the attention of Stormers' coach Alan Solomons. But he did not find a place in ther Super 12 squad and also was not contracted by Western Province although the Newlands union had expressed interest in the 20-year-old.

So, when the scholarship offer came along to do a BA - including free residence at celebrated the St John's College - it was too good to pass up and young Daniel was off in January to seek rugby fame Down Under while improving his

education.

A career in professional rugby is his immediate aim, though Vickermann is no stranger to Australian rugby having played for Queensland Colts in his first year out of Bishops, where he matriculated in 1996. While spending time at the University of Queensland three years ago, he was invited to the Australian under-19 trials - after being chosen to represent Queensland Colts - but narrowly missed out on selection.

Another ex-Western Province man, former Springbok loose forward Tiaan Strauss, had to wait to qualify through a three-year residential stipulation before he could become a Wallaby, but, apparently, Vickermann would not be under the same restriction before being eligible for the Australian under-21 team.

Sarfu ommunications manager Anthony Mackaiser said that Sarfu was determined not to lose any talented players unnecessarily and would be ready to hear what Sauls has to say and suggest over Vickermann.

"I did speak to Daniel's dad in mid-February and we did discuss the possibility of his son playing Super 12 rugby. But I got the impression that he was not too disappointed that Daniel was not playing in the tough Super 12 atmosphere at this point in his career. But there is no denying that Vickermann, at only 20 - he'll be 21 in June - has impressed many good judges and he would surely have made an impact coming on at some stage in the second half for one of our regional squads," added Mackaiser.

While the South African future of Vickermann is his pet project at the minute, Sauls says that he is enjoying working closely with Mains and the Cats.

"There is a nice relationship. I have a free hand with the backs while Balie Swart helps Laurie with the forwards. Anyone who suggests that there is a racist streak within the Cats' camp, as has been inferred recently, is not really in touch with the realities of how we work as a team," said Sauls.

"The Cats' selection is based on merit and only merit. Chester Williams, Mac Masina and Kaya Malotana, our three players of colour, will all confirm that fact. There has been a lot made of the fact that we only had Chester amongst our match squad of 22 for the first two matches and suggested it was because of some sinister motives. Not at all."

Sauls added that Mains has been working hard with black coaches to help develop their proficiency to pass on to disadvantaged players of colour.

"I know that black coaches within the Golden Lions Rugby Union have benefitted from Laurie's help," he said. "Sarfu need have no worries about disadvantaged players getting their chances with the Cats - but on merit," Sauls added. "As Laurie has already said, the Vodacom Cup is the vehicle for young players to come through the ranks. Then if they have got what it takes, they can graduate to Super 12 and Tri-Nations.

"We have all learnt a lot from Laurie, espeially about people-management. He has earned the players' respect and that is a big factor in any success which has come his way," said Sauls.