Springboks Expected To Win Convincingly Today

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28008, 30 June 1956, Page 10

Springboks Expected To Win Convincingly Today

RUGBY FOOTBALL

(New Zealand Press Association)

NAPIER. June 29. With six matches behind them, it will be surprising if the South African Rugby team does not win handsomely tomorrow. The seventh match of the New Zea’and section of the tour and the thirteenth since the team left South Africa will be against Hawke's Bay at McLean Park. Napier. The home side, a largely untried combination, should be no match for the Springboks, who are at last starting to find flair form. In many ways this will be as crucial a match as that earlier this week against the combined Poverty Bay-East Coast side at Gisborne.

The South Africans won that match 22-0. and although their win was not as convincing as the score would indicate. there are definite signs that the visitors have ironed out many of the difficulties that faced them earlier. If they can repeat their form shown in the last quarter of that match, then they should be able to look forward to the first test—a fortnight tomorrow —with more confidence.

If their form is not good, however, the Springboks' many doubts as to the future must return. This is especially so in the forwards where the Springboks have improved enormously since their initial drubbing by Waikato. Tomorrow' it will be surprising if the South Africans are not the complete masters of the home pack. Fielding their heaviest possible Wlth an average weight of last 111 b, the Springboks should drive the opposition into the ground. The Hawkes Bay forwards are lighter by 2st a man and they will be playing forwards who are rapidly reaching their top form.

Slowness to the ball was the biggest failing of the visitors in the first three matches of the tour, but since then there has been a steady improvement in their training runs the Springboks have also shown a better WhJthe h th° the art of ruck ing. Whether they can put their practice ac,lon during a match is srijj to be seen.

suit he fhJm Un K w McLean Park should St * . better than the lighter ?triftehef ay Pa J k ' The g oi ng will be that fi w!?S and slmilar to ’he ground month W kt ° W ° n on earlier this

wilh e the Ck «o e advantage should be viin the Springboks. There are s-v/Z C'iupic of men in the home s.de who will be able to match their opponents. There had been some doubt earlier today whether the wing three-quarters K. T. van Vollenhoven would be able to plav but the manager of the side < Dr. D H wmi'lrt n ’hJ aid thl i s evGn ing that there would be no changes in the team already announced. H. Marett, the Hawke’s Bay centre ee ;?i Uarte . rs ’ has been on and off anH national scene for several years h= d 11 u couid strike his top form South l d f prove a handful for the Sd B A F r, Hmve! ntreS R E ' M ° ntin ‘

ba f£ "'ho could prove difficult for the Springboks is D. b , e Paying at first '■ j Kivell is normally a lull-back and his inclusion in the tSt" th lOSe i r the scrum suggests that the local side might play a kJcking game rather than spin the ball through the backlines. Kivell an accurate kick with both feet The combined Poverty Bay - East Coast side beat Hawke’s Bay, 20-6 recently. ■ x ’ ’

Although Rugby fever has not hit the same high pitch in Napier as in other on the tour so far. it is known that many persons intend arriving

at the gates of the park in the early hours of the morning. The weather forecast is for passing showers.

The teams are:— South Africa: R. G. Dryburgh: K. T. van Vollenhoven, P. E. Montini. P. G. Johns $ one: B. F. Howe. C. A. Ulyate: C. F. Strydom: D. Retief, J. du Rand (captain). J. T. Claassen. H. N. Walker. J. A. J. Pickard; A. C. Koch. A. J. van der Merwe, H. P. J. Becker.

Hawke's Bay: M. Edwards; D. Alderson. H. Marett. B. Nicie: B. Troy, D Kivell; W. Bowers (captain); J. Kennedy. D. Hogg. A. Coutts. E. Hogge. K. J. Danielson. W. Hargreaves. J. Atkins (vice-captain), R. Sharplin. B. PFAFF TRAVELS TO WELLINGTON TREATMENT FOR LEG MUSCLE (New Zealand Press Association) NAPIER, June 29. Brian Pfaff, the Springbok’s fly-half and utility back, this morning flew to Wellington from Napier, for treatment to the hamstring muscle of his right leg. Pfaff received the injury during the ! match against Poverty Bay-East Coast last Wednesday He will’ join W. Rosenberg, J. Buehler, and J Du Preez, who are ali receiving medical treatment in Wellington.

SCHOOLS’ GAME AT TIMARU CHRISTCHURCH-BEATEN 14 POINTS TO 9 (From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, June 29. Timaru Boys' High School beat Christchurch Boys' High School by 14 points to 9 in the annual match between the two schools’ first fifteens at Timaru today. Timaru’s points came from four tries, one of which was converted, and Christchurch’s from three penalty goals.

The match was typical of secondary school Rugby, with plenty of movement and snappy passes between backs and forwards.

Timaru started with a fine burst, and for the first 20 minutes had the Christchurch defence worried. However, the Christchurch forwards gradually warmed up and for the next 40 minutes took control. Tae visiting backs had a feast of the ball. They were well served by Hislop at half, and continually threatened the Timaru line, but lacked finish and penetration. The Timaru cover defence worked well, either running the Christchurch wingers into touch or breaking up the movements.

Noticeable in the Christchurch pack were tne captain, D. Dailey, and J. B. Murray. A. J. Heatley. a front-row forward, played a grand game until he was injured just before the match finished. B. Robertson the wing and P. J. Morrisey were the best of a very even lot of backs.

Probably the most forceful back on the ground was the Timaru player from the Cook Islands, T. Makirere, who was always hard to stop and several times gave direction to the Timaru back line attacks. The visitors’ pack was a shade better in the tight work, but Timaru had a slight advantage in loose play.

Timaru opened the scoring a few minutes after the start. After loose forward play the ball travelled across the back line to Makirere, who shrugged off two Christchurch players before sending B. J. McKenz.e across at the corner.

Timaru’s next points came when the winger, McKenzie, sent his backs away from a line-out. A centring kick had the visitors bustled, and R. D. Hoskin, Timaru captain, ran 30 yards to score between the posts. Beckley converted. Led by Dailey and Heatley, the Christchurch pack gradually took charge and had the Timaru defence in difficulties. Several penalties against Timaru in handy positions were unfruitful until, early in the second half, R. H. Prouting goaled from a scrum penalty for Christchurch. It was a good kick from the sideline, jusl over the 25-yard line.

Both teams attacked until A. D. Houston. with a cleverly-placed kick, had Timaru in trouble. A penalty against Timaru in a ruck was awarded, and Prouting goaled. Christchurch continued to attack and held play in the Timaru half. Christchurch were awarded anothei penalty, and again Prouting goaled for the visitors to take the lead. 9 points to 8.

After loose play the Timaru backs moved into action, and Hoskin forced through several tackles to score at the

Just before the final whistle Timaru scored again. The whole back line handled, and R. J. Barlow, the full-back, joined in to cross the line.

Second Fifteens A match between the second fifteens was evenly contested, and Timaru won by 6 points (two penalties) to 5 (a try by Perkins, converted by Bradley).

ALTERATION TO DRAW FOR TODAY Under 17.—Sydenham v. Kaiapoi, S.P. 23, 1.15 p.m. (R. H. B. Bull). —Advt.