THE SPRINGBOKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 172, 21 July 1921, Page 7

THE SPRINGBOKS.

THEIR SECOND WIN. IWAIRAKAPA DEFEATED IS TO -. } (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) MASTERTON, Wednesday. ! The South African Rugby team met the Wa intra pa Bush representatives at Masterton this afternoon in glorious weather. The ground was in good con--1 dition, although slight rain fell the previous night. The attendance was over SOOO, and the gate takings just • j over £800. I The game opened with an attack by ' the visitors, and within a few minutes ! .Strauss crossed the line, De Viliers con- j ! verting. I Attacking again, further scoring by ' the visitors was prevented for some time by the splendid defence of Matson, Wairarapa's full-back. The home i team's tackling was safe and, although the Springboks' forwards were undoubtedly superior, Wairarapa put up a good defence. The quick passing rushes of the visitors were much admired, also ! their excellent combination and spurts Inf brilliance and individual play. They i also easily outpaced W'airarapa, and in this manner obtained their second try, Strauss sucessfully evading the backs and again crossing the line. De Villicrs I converted. South Africa 10, W'airarapa j (». . ' W'airarapa continued smothering tae- j tics, with the intention of wearing their j opponents down. Play was interrupted j for several minutes owing to Soviets | receiving an injury, but he was able to j continue. Wairarapa just missed a goal j from a- penalty kick by Torrance, and in the succeeding play the home team pressed the visitors in their territory. The Springboks then resumed the oflen- i 1 sive, and play was soon transferred i down the field, where an attempt at ' goal failed. Wairarapa held the visi- ; tors, and finally compelled them to I force down. Play was again suspended ; owing to Walker receiving a knock on the bead. Wairarapa continued to j press, ami being awarded a free kick in the vicinity of the visitors' goal missed a seemingly easy attempt. Shortly afterwards Meyer obtained the leather uud crossed the line after a fast run. The kick failed, and the spell ended: South Africa 13, Wairarapa 0. , Early in the second spell De Villicrs put the ball out well up the field, and a few minutes later from a penalty had j an unsuccessful shot at goal. The Booth j brothers, by clever passing, almost i registered a score, but the superiority j Springboks' backs was again I demonstrated. In another smart passing rush Torrance, evading the backs, got . through and registered Wairarapa's only score. Mat-on's attempt was unsuccessful. South Africa 13, W'airarapa 3. The W'airarapa captain, Donald, was injured at this slajro, but continued to play. W'airarapa were now playing a good defensive game, and on occasions pressed the visitors, .lust before the bell went Sendin crossed tbe home team's line, the try being converted by Olivier, making the score: South — frica IS. W'airarapa 3. The score is a fair indication of the relative merits of the teams. Wairarapa played a good game, but were undoubtedly outclassed, particularly in getting the ball to the backs and tackling. The W'airarapa forwards put m good work. NOTES ON THE PLAY. (By Telegraph. --Special to "Star.") MASTERTON, tins day. The team which took the field against W'airarapa was South Africa's second fifteen. Only about three or four of the team is to be included against Wellington on Saturday, and only three of the team that played against Taranaki were on the field, viz., Tindall, Ellis, and Royal Morkel. Some of the team today played their tirst game in New Zealand, and in the circumstances the combination shown by the visitors was good. They were not afraid to throw the ball about, and whenever an opening presented itself they would swarm round the ball. Their forwards were resourceful and powerful, and wore the W r airarapa pack down in the second spell. The South African backs were quick, Tindall repeatedly setting them in motion. W'airarapa showed good tackling, but they only got going on a few.occasions. There were some spectacular efforts on Wairarapa's part. Wairarapa forwards put up a good fight against the opposing pack, but the South African pack was always more resourceful, and repeatedly broke through. Mellish. Pienaar, Walker, Ellis and Royal Morkel played dashing games. Tindall was brilliant at half, while Sinden was particularly clever and game. On tho .three-quarters Strauss and Meyer were also good. The try Wairarapa scored followed after a knock on was allowed to escape a penalty. Mr. T. Jones was referee. He missed many breaches of the rules, and a number of free kicks which should have gon« to the visitors were not allowed. J. Donald, the All Black winger, did not play up to expectations. Tindall, South Africa's half, was alto<_ethor too tricky for him, and beat him time after time. Donald's play disappointed a great number of spectators. He did well at times, but his exhibition was generally patcliy. Mellish, Ellis, Royal Morkel and Pienaar struck one as being equal to the best All Black forward standard.