ALL BLACKS IN AFRICA

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25878, 10 August 1949, Page 5

ALL BLACKS IN AFRICA

RUGBY FOOTBALL

65,000 EXPECTED TO SEE TEST I From CLAUDE KING, Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.] PRETORIA, August 8. There is general satisfaction in the AH Black camp at the selection of New Zealand’s second test side. Meates has been improving and he is a natural left winger. This leaves Henderson free to occupy his more accustomed position ot right winger.

Test fever is mounting in Johannesburg and a record crowd of 65,000, is expected to go to Ellis Park, Johannesburg. The test team had a light but efficient training this afternoon after the players had played golf, bowls, and tennis in the morning. There was no scrummaging, all efforts being directed toward quick movement off the -mark and speedy backing up.

It is estimated that when the second test is played on Saturday more than 400,000 persons will have seen the All Blacks play in their 17 games. This figure exceeds the total attendances for the Springbok tour of New Zealand in 1937, when 17 games were played, and the attendances were given as 380,000. The present tour is the most successful financially that South Africa has experienced. When the full programme of 24 matches is completed, the aggregate attendances are expected to be about 500,000, with a gross gate revenue of about £120,000.

Top prices for seats for the tests are £2 2s. It has been reported that some of these seats have been resold for up to £2O.