Rugby Union: Test boost for French

FRANCE prepared for Saturday's second Test by securing a straightforward 38-13 win against a South African Development XV at Welkom, Orange Free State, yesterday. In their penultimate tour match, the French fielded only one of their likely Test line-up, but they were in command throughout.

The visitors' only concern came when the hooker, Jean-Michel Gonzales, the one Test candidate, limped off after the interval with a knee injury.

France scored three tries through the pace of their wings, Pierre Hontas and David Berty, who went over twice. The fourth came from a rolling maul which drove Gonzales over the line. The stand-off, Pierre Montlaur, scored 18 points with his boot.

South African Development XV: Tries Hendricks, Coetzee; Penalty Hendricks. France: Tries Berty 2, Hontas, Gonzales; Conversions Montlaur 3; Penalties Montlaur 4.