Bok delayed to save Cats' codes

Laurie Mains has not only rejected Springbok prop Lawrence Sephaka, he also prevented the player from joining the Stormers too early for fear of giving away the Cats' secret codes.

Cats coach Mains has told a Johannesburg newspaper that it would be impossible for Sephaka to join the Stormers on Wednesday because the player knew all the line-out codes and tactical calls.

Mains this week refused to include Sephaka in his squad in spite of pleas by Springbok coach Harry Viljoen that all 31 players in his national squad be given the chance to play Super 12 rugby. It opened Mains to accusations that he did not have national interest at heart. At the end of the Super 12 Mains will return to New Zealand to coach Otago.

Mains, who has included only two black players in his squad, claimed he could not accommodate Sephaka "because Willie Meyer is the No 1 Springbok tighthead". Clearly, he does not even rate Sephaka, who distinguished himself on the Springbok tour last year, as even second best.

- The Cats are being quoted at 14-1 in the Super 12 with their Saturday opponents, the Stormers, slightly better off at 12-1. Top of the bookies' odds are the Brumbies at 11-4, followed by the champions, Canterbury Crusaders at 9-2.

The Bulls appear to be everyone's favourites for the wooden spoon this year at 150-1. Even last year's doppie team, the Sharks, are better off, at 40-1.