Duo cleared by the Boks

Smit: cleared to play for Clermont

French-based South Africans John Smit and Percy Montgomery have been approved to play for their clubs in the closing stages of the season even though it clashes with an international fixture in Italy.

Hooker Smit and full-back Montgomery will join the Springboks squad on June 7 and June 14 for the home Tests against Wales.

Both players will be excused from the international fixture on June 21 as they have been cleared to play for their clubs in the French championships if their teams qualify for the semi-finals or the final.

The South African federation announced that Boks skipper Smit would be allocated to a franchise in the country after his spell in France had terminated at the end of this season.

Smit stated that pressure had been put on him to return to domestic rugby by the South African federation which he had reluctantly agreed to even though he had been contracted until the end of next season.

It is yet to see whether Montgomery will return to South Africa or remain in France.