Shimange in a race against time

In a cruel twist of fate, reserve Springbok hooker Hanyani Shimange is in doubt for the Boks' historic Test against the Pacific Islanders in Gosford on Saturday after sustaining a calf injury, just days after he was expected to start in the game.

Shimange was originally named on the bench for the Islanders match, but after Bok captain John Smit was ruled out of training because of a cut to his foot, the Cats hooker was set to earn his run-on debut for the team.

He had been training as the Bok's first-choice hooker during the squad practice sessions, while Smit was forced to take part in soft-soled shoes in an effort to help the wound heal.

But Shimange sat out training on Wednesday after straining his calf muscle and is in for an anxious wait to see whether or not he will be fit to play. If Shimange is ruled out Bulls No.2 Danie Coetzee will replace him.

"We have Danie Coetzee and he has been training with us all the way through so it is not a major change," said coach Jake White.

"We'll see how he [Shimange] is later and make a decision then."

White, meanwhile, is also set to make a decision on lock Victor Matfield, who is still struggling to overcome a knee injury sustained against Wales in June. Matfield was also ruled out of training on Wednesday and White is reportedly planning to call up Natal Sharks lock Albert van der Berg.

Van der Berg is a surprising choice, with the former Bok struggling to crack into the starting XV for the Sharks, but White, who was vindicated in re-calling Bok veteran Os du Randt to the squad under similar circumstances, is not worried.

"I like to swap like for like and there's no point calling up a Geo Cronjé or Johan Ackermann when we've got Bakkies and Quinton," said White.

"Somebody like Albert can dominate a line-out like Victor. He reads the line-out, has quick feet and is easy to lift and is a natural replacement."

*White, meanwhile, has called on the International Rugby Board (IRB) to take another look at the eligibility requirements of the Islanders.

The Bok coach said that it was not fair that a number of players in the Islanders team were still eligible to play for the All Blacks, despite their participation with the combined team.

White believes it gives All Black selectors an opportunity to see the players perform in the high intensity Test matches before picking them.

"I think it's good for rugby that these guys are getting the opportunity to play and it's nice for the crowds because they play exciting rugby and it's something new to watch.

"But I don't believe they should be allowed to use it as an All Black trial.

"They are getting the chance to see these players in Test match conditions without them losing their eligibility to play for the All Blacks and I think the IRB needs to look at that.

"I've not looked at how many players that might affect but even if it's only one it's the principle that's the important thing."

But Pacific Islanders Chief Executive Charlie Charters said that White did not truly understand the factors involved to be commenting.

"What a lot of these SANZAR coaches don't realise when they make these statements is that when these players sign for the New Zealand Rugby Union there is a clause that prevents them from playing Test rugby for their home nations.

"If this team did not exist they would not have the chance of playing Test rugby at all."