RUGBY Springboks Beat Wales 3-0 At Cardiff

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29379, 5 December 1960, Page 26

RUGBY Springboks Beat Wales 3-0 At Cardiff

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, December 3 The touring South African Rugby Union team beat Wales, 3-0, in their international match played in wet, muddy conditions at Cardiff this afternoon. About 50,000 spectators saw a match that developed into a tight struggle between the opposing packs. Under the muddy conditions, the ball was soon slippery and hard to throw about. The only score came in the twenty-first minute when the Springbok fly-half. K. Oxlee. kicked a penalty goal. With the wind at his back. Oxlee kicked off for South Africa. The Springbok forwards at once rushed the ball to the Welsh line and T. Davies was forced to make a hurried kick for touch. After the line-out. Engelbrecht might have scored had the ball

not reached him too high to hold. Then T. Davies had a kick charged down. The ball passed over the Welsh line, but C. Davies was there to touch down. When Gainsford fly-kicked over the line, T. Davies had to touch down. Then Wilson put in an “up-and-under” kick from a penalty near half-way and T. Davies got to the ball just in time to stop a try by Oxlee. The Welsh forwards put up a plucky fight against their massive opponents who kept battering away- fiercely. Once South Africa nearly scored when Kirkpatrick darted through and first Pelser and then Oxley were brought down near the line. After 21 minutes South Africa gained the lead. Wales was pulled up for a scrummaging infringement and from an easy position. Oxlee kicked a goal. That started a Welsh revival. A long-range penalty kick by T. Davies went astray in the wind and then the home forwards applied heavy pressure. D. Evans made one great effort to get through and once Engelbrecht had to touch down to avoid trouble.. It was' still raining and, with the ball slippery, the forwards were in charge. South Africa nearly scored again before half-time, but Engelbrecht hesitated near the line and was tackled by T. Davies. The Springboks tried to win a “push-over” try but instead were awarded a penalty which Kirkpatrick missed. Near half-time, Claassen received a leg injury and went off. but came back soon after the interval. “Kick and Rush” Owing to the heavy conditions, the chief method of attack was “kick and rush” after half-time. A series of fumbles by. Springbok defenders almost cost them a score on one occasion, but Kirkpatrick found touch.

Wales was most on attack and once, after a fine kick to the corner by Richards, Harris almost scored from the line-out. The Springboks tried desperately to break away but T. Davies repeatedly drove them back with long kicks to touch. For some time the game lay at half-way where a series of scrums failed to give either side any ground. The longer the game lasted the more play deteriorated, and it was very difficult to follow in the fading light. The Springboks kept the ball close and effectively preserved their slender lead. Steadily they forced the Welsh pack back and Claassen tried to force a try. In the closing minutes Wales kept defending, but though hard pressed it held out to finish the game in the Springboks twentyfive.