Butch and Monty to get the boot?

Percy Montgomery and Butch James will know by Tuesday if they are to be kicked out of the Springbok rugby squad.

On Saturday, axed fullback Montgomery watched as his replacement, 21-year-old Conrad Jantjes, offered coach Harry Viljoen reason to stick with the young player.

James, who has shown little of his Super 12 form in Tests, made the coach rethink his flyhalf selection following the Springboks' 20-15 win over world champions Australia at Loftus.

On Tuesday Viljoen announces a 26-man squad for next month's two away Tri-Nations Tests against Australia in Perth (August 18) and New Zealand in Auckland a week later.

Judging by Saturday's Test against the Wallabies, Jantjes won't lose his preferred position at fullback soon. His positional play was good and he attacked the Australian line with conviction and none of the nerves that haunted him before the game.

Thinus Delport, who was on the bench, is the other utility back with Jantjes. He can cover at fullback and on the wing.

So where does this leave Montgomery? Confused perhaps, because seven months ago Viljoen identified Montgomery as his No 1 flyhalf. But all it's gone pear-shaped for the WP player.

He was switched back to fullback and handed the kicking responsibilities. It went okay against Italy but disastrously against the All Blacks.

James entered the flyhalf scene on the back of a good Super 12, but with a suspect tackling style.

On Saturday, he did little to show he deserved another chance.

His place can easily be taken by Braam van Straaten, who reminded everyone why it's suicidal going into an international without a consistently successful goal-kicker.

Van Straaten kicked five penalties on Saturday; Wallaby Matthew Burke missed two vital ones. Five points separated the two sides in the end.

Flyhalf Van Straaten played at inside centre against Australia in place of the injured Marius Joubert.

Joubert is expected to miss the rest of the Tri-Nations because of the knee he injured against the All Blacks two Saturdays ago.

Two other injured players, locks Victor Matfield and Albert van den Berg, will be considered for the tour if they have recovered fully.

Matfield suffered a cracked eye socket against the All Blacks last week and Van den Berg an injured sternum against France in Durban last month.

"We don't want to rush them if they are not ready... there's no point in risking them," said convener of selectors Francois Davids.

He said Saturday's win over the Wallabies was an indication that the Springboks were on the right track.

"We're getting momentum and there's no reason why we cannot build on that win. It was satisfying to see how committed all the players were," Davids said.