Springboks eye home

TIME is running out in Guernsey for the pivotal South African half-back combination of Willoughby Bloem and Werner Stroh. 'Both are going to a rugby academy back at their university in South Africa,' said Guernsey coach Rob Box.

'Apparently they only have a window to take people in twice a year. We were trying to persuade them to go in the following intake in June, but they have been set up for the one in January.

'They go in November, which is a terrible shame, but we have told them to stay for the Dorking game,' added the coach, who still hopes to see both players back in the island some time in the future.

Meanwhile, Carl Johnson has been given a three-week ban for his sending-off against Old Emanuel.

The Guernsey skipper has accepted his punishment after being shown a red card for punching, saying the length of the sentence was what he expected.

'From the guidelines they go under, three weeks is the usual ban. The referee's report was fairly clear-cut,' said Johnson, who was in London on business when the hearing was held.

The club suspended him after the dismissal and the punishment has been backdated accordingly, meaning the captain is due to return in the home fixture against Petersfield on Saturday 13 November.

It has left Box with a selection dilemma for tomorrow's match at Southampton because Dave Willis, who replaced Johnson at outside centre against KCS Old Boys, is unavailable to travel. His wife gave birth shortly after last weekend's game.

But Jim Elliott has returned to training and could fill the void against the side who are lying second bottom, having won just one of five matches. Box delayed naming his side until after training last night because of possible changes to the second row. Graham Hards has a sore back, while Jon Flynn is work-tied.