First published on Wednesday 08 August 2001:

JOOST van der Westhuizen insists he will take up his contract with Newport on schedule at the start of next month.

Rumours have been rife for the past week that the South African scrum half star was trying to get out of his contract with Newport.

The reason given by the Newport rumour factory, which still mistakenly believes Keith Wood is joining, is that van der Westhuizen does not want to jeopardise his international career.

Those rumours have reached South Africa and van der Westhuizen has responded by ringing Newport owner Tony Brown assuring him he is coming to Rodney Parade. "I have spoken to Joost and he has told me he is looking forward to coming to Newport," said Brown.

And the player will not be returning to South Africa in October to play Currie Cup rugby in preparation for the November internationals, as has also been suggested.

The only time he will return home during his one-year contract with Newport (with another year's option) to play rugby is for those November internationals.

"Joost is not registered with a South African province for the Currie Cup, so he will not be going back in October," said Brown.

"These rumours seem to feed on themselves. It's the same with Keith Wood, where all this comes from is beyond me.

"Keith Wood is under contract to Harlequins, equally Joost van der Westhuizen has signed a contract with Newport which means he will be playing for us next season." Van der Westhuizen has won 73 caps for South Africa, scoring 34 tries, and has now left for Australia and next week's Tri Nations clash.

There remains the game against New Zealand on August 25 after which he will leave for Newport.