Sporting Digest: Rugby Union

GARY PAGEL, the South African prop, had his nine-month ban for raking the French captain, Jean-Francois Tordo, reduced to six months at an appeal hearing yesterday.

FRANCE have named an unchanged side from the one which drew 20-20 with the Springboks in last week's first Test in Durban for the decider in Johannesburg on Saturday.

FRANCE (v South Africa, Test match, Johannesburg, 3 July): J-L Sadourny; P Bernat-Salles, T Lacroix, P Sella, P Saint-Andre; A Penaud, A Hueber; L Armary, J-M Gonzalez, S Graou, O Merle, O Roumat (capt), P Benetton, L Cabannes, M Cecillon. Reserves: O Campan, P Montlaur, J Cazalbou, X Blond, L Verge, E Menieu.

TOUR MATCH (Canberra, Aus): Australian Capital Territory 29 Tonga 8.