Call-up for Stromp

A convicted killer, Henry Tromp, has been included in the South Africa squad to face Australia in Bloemfontein next weekend.

The 29-year-old Northern Transvaal player was convicted of manslaughter in 1993 after a farm labourer died from injuries sustained during a beating for "disciplinary reasons".

Tromp is likely to play second fiddle to the first-choice hooker, John Allan, in Saturday's match, but his selection provoked extended debate among the national selectors, resulting in a three-hour delay in the announcement of the squad.

Rian Oberholzer, the chief executive of the South African Rugby Football Union, said: "Sarfu is fully aware of the history of Henry Tromp. But the player has been selected for the squad and deserves his chance."

Tromp is one of three changes to the squad who lost to Australia 21-16 and New Zealand 15-11 on the away leg of the Tri-Nation Series. The Transvaal lock, Hannes Strydom, comes in for Natal's Steve Atherton, while the Griqualand West prop, Dawie Theron, receives a surprise call-up having emerged from an unheralded province. Tromp replaces Naka Drotske and Theron comes in for Balie Swart.

SOUTH AFRICA Squad (Tri-Nations Series v Australia, Bloemfontein, Saturday): Full-back: A Joubert. Wings: J Small, P Hendriks, J Swart. Centres: B Venter, J Mulder, H Honiball. Fly-half: J Stransky. Scrum-halves: J van der Westhuizen, J Roux. Back row: G Teichmann, R Kruger, F Pienaar (capt). Locks: J Ackermann, M Andrews, H Strydom. Hookers: J Allan, H Tromp. Props: M Hurter, O du Randt, D Theron.