06/07/2007

Sportal.co.nz

Stephen Larkham - Photosport

Springboks coach Jake White has paid veteran duo George Gregan and Stephen Larkham a huge compliment ahead of Saturday night's Philips Tri Nations Test in Sydney.

South Africa, a very proud rugby nation, showed the amount of respect it has for the Wallabies halves combination by praising the duo as well as making the effort to commemorate Larkham's becoming a Test centurion with this weekend's match at Telstra Stadium.

At the South African team announcement on Wednesday, White paraded an official Springboks jersey that they will present to Larkham before Saturday night's match. The jersey is embroided with the words - 'Stephen Larkham congratulations on your 100th Test'.

"I was privileged to be in Perth for George Gregan's 100th Test and it happened to be against the Springboks," White explained. "And it is going to be an honour this weekend to be there for Larkham's 100th."

"We have a got a special embroided Springboks jersey to present to him - it is a gift from South Africa to congratulate him on his 100th Test. Not too many coaches can be lucky enough to have players like Gregan and Larkham play against the Springboks in their 100th Test match."

White said the veteran pair never failed to surprise him with their professionalism and dedication to the game.

"People said that Gregan and Larkham were going to go into hiding and avoid contact before the World Cup but I can tell you in Cape Town, the way Larkham was climbing into the defence and all that it was far and away from people perceived what was going to happen," White said

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