Johannesburg — LEGENDARY Springbok prop Os du Randt yesterday questioned coach Peter de Villiers's decision to exclude overseas-based players from the national squad, saying that if they were the best in their respective positions they should be selected.

De Villiers has been adamant since his appointment that he would rather reward local players for their efforts than select players who opted to pursue their careers overseas.

But a spate of injuries in the front row on the European tour in the past few weeks forced him to call on tighthead props CJ van der Linde and BJ Botha, who are plying their trade at Irish clubs.

Van der Linde suffered a hamstring injury in the clash against Saracens after a solid display in the scrums, which ruled him out of the Test against Italy, resulting in Botha's call-up. But despite having only a few days with the squad, Botha formed a formidable front-row combination with prop Tendai Mtawarira and hooker John Smit in the second half on Saturday.

"The overseas-based players should have a chance to play themselves into the Test team," said Du Randt. "If they are the best in their positions, they should be looked at." He said fullback Frans Steyn, who is at French second-division club Racing Metro, could also have added value on tour. Zane Kirchner is filling the void left by Steyn.

"With Peter being the coach, the selection decisions lie with him and he has to do what he thinks is best," said Du Randt. "But if it was me choosing the team, these guys would have been there."

Du Randt agreed with former Springbok backline coach Allister Coetzee that the front row of props Mtawarira, and Botha and Smit at hooker, would be the best to tame the strong Irish pack this weekend.

"I don't want to criticise anyone," said Du Randt. "But when John moved from tighthead to hooker against Italy, it stabilised the scrum. I think this front row should start against Ireland.

"If our scrum against Ireland is as good as it was in the last 10 minutes against Italy, I think we will do well. We have been struggling in the scrums for the past two years and naturally that would dent the players' confidence. Maybe if we go with this front row, it will restore some of the confidence."

He said the fact that former Springbok forwards coach Gert Smal was in charge of Ireland's forwards made it even more important for De Villiers to select his strongest pack for the game.

"This weekend's game will probably be the Boks' toughest on tour, especially with Gert Smal there. He knows the Bok scrum well and the players. So if he wants to he can give them invaluable information."

The legendary prop also warned the Boks to be prepared for a grudge match, as the Irish players who were part of the British and Irish Lions team earlier this year are still licking their wounds after the series defeat. The Irish media have contributed heavily to this scenario, raising the "eye-gouging" incident involving flank Schalk Burger and wing Luke Fitzgerald in almost every report.

"With Brian O'Driscoll leading Ireland they will definitely want to avenge their Lions tour defeat," said Du Randt. "So they will have a lot to play for compared with us. A win for the Boks will depend on how hungry they are to win this game."