GLASGOW - Star Springbok winger Bryan Habana has been put on standby for the South African team for the Commonwealth Games.
Habana's availability followed a decision by his club Toulon, in agreement with the French Rugby Federation (FFR), to make an exception and allow Habana to play during a rest window during which all French Top 14 players are normally prohibited from playing, the South African federation annouced.
It means that the leading scorer in Springbok history has been cleared to be placed on the South African Sevens standby list.
"His availability means that should there be an injury in the Team SA squad, Habana would be allowed to compete, should he be required by the coaches. He was named in the original squad," the federation said.
The Springboks open their account on Saturday, matched up against Trinidad and Tobago, the Cook Islands and Kenya, before the knockout matches and medal games on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Usain Bolt believes anti-doping officials have sent a "bad message to the sport", after American sprinter Tyson Gay received only a one-year ban following a positive test for an anabolic steroid.
"I'm not really happy with the situation and with how it was done," Bolt said.
"I think for someone like Asafa (Powell) to get a ban of 18 months for that (stimulant oxilofrine) and then Tyson Gay get just one year because of cooperating, I think it is sending a bad message into the sport that you can do it (dope) but if you cooperate with us, we'll reduce the sentence," the 100m and 200m world record holder said.
The sanction, handed to Gay by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada), ended in June this year.
Habana put on standby
GLASGOW - Star Springbok winger Bryan Habana has been put on standby for the South African team for the Commonwealth Games.
Habana's availability followed a decision by his club Toulon, in agreement with the French Rugby Federation (FFR), to make an exception and allow Habana to play during a rest window during which all French Top 14 players are normally prohibited from playing, the South African federation annouced.
It means that the leading scorer in Springbok history has been cleared to be placed on the South African Sevens standby list.
"His availability means that should there be an injury in the Team SA squad, Habana would be allowed to compete, should he be required by the coaches. He was named in the original squad," the federation said.
The Springboks open their account on Saturday, matched up against Trinidad and Tobago, the Cook Islands and Kenya, before the knockout matches and medal games on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Usain Bolt believes anti-doping officials have sent a "bad message to the sport", after American sprinter Tyson Gay received only a one-year ban following a positive test for an anabolic steroid.
"I'm not really happy with the situation and with how it was done," Bolt said.
"I think for someone like Asafa (Powell) to get a ban of 18 months for that (stimulant oxilofrine) and then Tyson Gay get just one year because of cooperating, I think it is sending a bad message into the sport that you can do it (dope) but if you cooperate with us, we'll reduce the sentence," the 100m and 200m world record holder said.
The sanction, handed to Gay by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada), ended in June this year.
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