SPRINGBOK TEAM CHANGES

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27739, 17 August 1955, Page 8

SPRINGBOK TEAM CHANGES

“ATTACKING” PLAYERS SELECTED

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, Aug. 15.

British correspondents commenting from Cape Town on the changed South African team to meet the British Isles in the second test on Saturday, says that the selectors have picked an “attacking” fifteen.

The “Daily Telegraph” correspondent saj s that whatever criticism may be made of the team no-one can blame the selectors of shirking the challenge of British back play. "No attempt is being made to close up the game and rely on heavy-wgight forwards to ’steam-roller’ their way to victory with backs who will persistently exploit the touchline. After a meeting which lasted for nearly five hours, the South African selectors decided to scrap their ‘safety first’ tactics and again rely on ‘running. backs’—and this in spite of the failure of an all-out attacking policy in the first test.”

The correspondent, however, suggests that the South African backs may be vulnerable in defence.

The “Daily Mail” Correspondent, Roy McKelvie, says: “South Africa has decided to continue to play positive attacking Rugby, and they have chosen a team they hope will match the British pace.”

Two Changes in Backs . The Cape Town correspondent of "The Times" says that the surprising thing about the changes is that only two were made among the backs—at full-back and on a flank of the three-quarter line. There would, however, seem to be real significance in the three changes made in the pack. “Though the South Afnicans had the better of the tight and line-outs in the first test, it was not until the British Isles were seriously weakened by the loss of Higgins that the South Africans became an effective strikirig force. The change at full-back would appear enforced by the extreme slowness of Van der Schyff.” H. B, Heartland writing in the "Observer"’ says that by their triumph at Ellis Park, the tourists have won their most Critical game in the series of four tests. "It ir doubtful if the Lions will ever play better, but they mufet face the second test with more appreciation of what is in front of t’-cm, and with greater confidence."