British and Irish Lions

Springbok scrum-half Rickie Januarie will hear the verdict of the drink-driving case against him just days before the first Test against the Lions on June 20.

The case against the Stormers No9, who impressed in national colours last year, has been postponed until June 4 to allow Januarie to compete in the forthcoming Super 14 tournament.

The 27-year-old was the Bok match winner during their historic win over the All Blacks in Dunedin during the 2008 Tri Nations and had continued his good form on the November tour of the UK when he produced a particularly assured display in the drubbing of England at Twickenham.

Police officers on a routine patrol arrested Januarie in Durbanville, South Africa, in the early hours of September 14 after suspecting him of being under the influence of alcohol because of his allegedly reckless driving.

Januarie's previous court appearance in Cape Town was postponed pending the results of his blood test but the magistrate insisted that yesterday's developments would be the last time the case was put back.

Januarie, who currently has 27 Springbok caps to his name, is expected to be part of the South African squad that faces the Lions in the first international of the three-match series in Durban on June 20, just a fortnight after his case is heard.

The Brumbies pair of Ben Mowen and Christian Leali'ifano will get the chance to follow in the footsteps of their team mates by beating the British & Irish Lions when they make their Qantas Wallaby Test debuts against the tourists in Brisbane on Saturday.

Rob Howley says having George North available for selection is a major plus for the British & Irish Lions as they go in search of the tries he believes will be needed to beat the Qantas Wallabies this Saturday.