Crichton misses out on Springbok return

ABERDOUR’S Scott Crichton, who won all four of his matches when Scotland beat South Africa in a Test match at Leopard Creek in February, won’t be involved in next week’s return clash at Prestwick.

The Fifer has paid the price for a sluggish start to the domestic campaign, seeing the four selectors’ picks for the two-day match go instead to Fraser McKenna (Balmore), Paul Shields (Kirkhill), Brian Soutar (Leven GS) and James White (Lundin).

Joining forces with that quartet next Wednesday and Thursday are the two leading players on this season’s SGU Order of Merit, namely Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson and Adam Dunton of McDonald Ellon.

“We have picked a strong Scottish team and we approach the Test with confidence,” said Scottish national coach Ian Rae. “We have good experience within the side and players who all know how to win on big occasions.”

The South African side features two players in the world’s top 100 – Haydn Porteous and Charles du Plessis – as well as Drikus Bruyns, Gert Myburgh, Shaun Smith and Jean-Paul Strydom. Top-ranked Brandon Stone is a notable omission, especially as he will be joining his comptratiots at Troon the following week for the British Amateur.