THE SPRINGBOKS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20427, 23 December 1931, Page 12

THE SPRINGBOKS.

COMMENT ON THEIR PLAY. IFRKK ASSOCIATION T*LXB*AM.) WELLINGTON, December 22. j While he was 111 London, Mr 0. S. Thomas, of Christchurch, -who returned from a tour of Great Britain and France by tho Ulimaroa to-day, attended the Eugby match \ between Springboks and London! From their display in that match, Mr Thomas said the South Africans were far from a great international side. Although they would be hard to beat, there was no brilliance in their play, and it seemed to him that they would have to rely mostly On their splendid, forwards for success. The Springboks had defeated London heavily, but the opposition had been very weak. Their main strength had seemed to lie in the wondjrful physique of the players, particularly the forwards, and their tactics—in this match ;it any rate —were confined' to trusting j the forwards to get the ball and give '-\ —* ■'! —'V.f>tc!y kicked for the line. The result was that the much to the disappointment of the spectators. Bennie Osier played in this match, Mr Thomas said, but his game all the way through had been of the most sterotyped kind. That comment applied to practically all the backs. Unless the side's tactics and general standard of back play improved considerably, it would stand a goOd chance of defeat when the international matches came along.