Fraud and corruption accused Schabir Shaik has caused speculation about who his next witness will be after referring to this during cross-examination in the Durban High Court on Tuesday.

"I believe we are calling one of the French witnesses," said Shaik when prosecutor Billy Downer asked him about "the paper trail of money" from Turkey and Mauritius that was eventually paid into his company account.

"What's his name?" asked Downer.

Shaik replied: "I'll leave that to my senior counsel."

Up till now the defence has been mum on the issue and is not giving anything away about its witness line-up.

Last week Shaik also hinted that former ANC treasurer general Doctor Zweli Mkhize might be called to take the stand.

According to the state the money Shaik received in terms of a service provider agreement was really a bribe he had solicited for deputy president Jacob Zuma from French arms company Thomson CSF.

They say the bribe of half a million rand per year was in exchange for protection during investigations into arms deal irregularities.

This bribe is allegedly documented in an encrypted fax authored by former Thomson South African boss Alain Thetard.

Downer told Shaik the service provider agreement was a sham.

He also questioned Shaik on two backdated documents which Downer said was created to gain financial benefits from Thomson.

"The backdating was a request on their side," said Shaik.

Those documents also related to the service provider agreement between Shaik and Thomson which came into effect after the two companies won the naval corvette tender -- part of South Africa's multi-billion rand arms purchase -- through a joint shareholding in African Defence Systems.

Downer said Shaik was the only person who stood to benefit from the backdating.

He said Shaik had been pushing for "work share" from September 1999 and had trouble convincing the French to give him what he wanted.

Shaik said the agreement was also for Nkobi to derive workshare and for future projects.

"These documents are nothing but a sham", said Downer.

"I dispute, that my lord", said Shaik.

On Tuesday judge Hillary Squires had to leap in several times and ask Downer "where are you going with this."

Shaik on the other hand appeared more upbeat, saying as he left the courtroom during a tea break: "This is getting interesting, it's like a boxing match.

"You throw some punches, you get some punches." *1

The trial continues.

With acknowledgements to Wendy Jasson da Costa and Sapa.

*1 Until da bigga one arrives.