A South African government minister has criticised the choice of stars Percy Montgomery and Fourie du Preez ahead of black players for the Springboks' Tri Nations rugby Test against New Zealand this weekend.

Cedric Frolick, vice-chairperson of the parliamentary sport portfolio committee, also questioned how committed Peter de Villiers, the first black coach of South Africa, was to transformation.

Frolick told SuperSport he was angered that Montgomery and du Preez were picked in the starting 15 ahead of black players Conrad Jantjes and Ricky Januarie, who were in the reserves for the crucial Tri-Nations rugby match at Cape Town on Saturday.

Montgomery will become the first South African to play 100 Tests even though Jantjes has started at fullback in six of the Springboks' seven matches this year.

Du Preez, back from injury, came off the bench against Argentina last weekend in his first Test appearance this year, and will start for the first time since last year's World Cup final.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry this week rated du Preez the world's best scrumhalf but Frolick wasn't impressed.

"It was Ricky who helped make history in the House of Pain," Frolick said, referring to Januarie's match-winning try a month ago which gave the Springboks their first win in New Zealand in 10 years, and first in Dunedin.

"Personally, I think Ricky has proved himself as South Africa's leading scrumhalf. Is it Fourie's World Cup status that now elevates him above Ricky?

"In my view, Fourie has done nothing to justify a place in the starting lineup.

"Conrad Jantjes is, on present form, the No.1 fullback. It is worrying that people make decisions with their heart to give someone (Montgomery) his 100th Test cap."

Frolick was worried that de Villiers was reverting to stalwarts of his predecessor, Jake White, who coached South Africa to victory at the World Cup last year.

White rigidly stuck to selection on merit and chose two blacks for his team in the final in Paris.

"I know Peter wants to win the Tri-Nations but he must realise he will be measured according to his ability to transform the team and to make it representative of the country's population for the 2011 World Cup," Frolick said.

"We have also seen nothing of the new type of rugby that Peter has spoken of.

"It is interesting that coloureds and blacks traditionally support the All Blacks when they play at Newlands.

"Is the team that has been selected of such a nature that it will ensure the support of most South Africans?

"We cannot repeat the cycle of the White era. We must build for 2011.

"It is easy to fall into a comfort zone. Peter should be reminded of his mandate. It's not all about transformation but it is an important part of it. Not one black player has let South Africa down this year."

De Villiers' first selection as coach in June included a record seven blacks in the run-on XV against Wales.

Seven blacks are in Saturday's squad, including four starters.

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