S. AFRICA HAS TWO NEW CAPS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30815, 29 July 1965, Page 19

S. AFRICA HAS TWO NEW CAPS

Injured Walton May Not Play (Bu I. J. D. HALL, Rugby reporter of "The Press”) WELLINGTON, July 28. Little more than an hour after the South African side for the first test on Saturday was announced the team suffered its first casualty when the hooker, D. G. Walton, injured a hamstring at training. He will have treatment tomorrow but it is a strong possibility that he will not be able to play. He would be replaced by G. F. Malan. The team is much as expected. It contains two new caps, both forwards. At the age of 31, the rugged prop, G. C. P. van Zyl, has been included, and the young South-west African, J. H. Ellis, is the other new cap.

Full-back: L. G. Wilson. Three-quarters: J. P. Engelbrecht, J. L. Gainsford, F. T. Roux, G. Brynard. Fly-half: K. Oxlee. Scrum-half: D. J. de Villiers (captain). Back row: J. A. Nel. Middle row: J. H. Ellis, F. C. H. du Preez, J. T. Naude, J. Schoeman. Front row: A. W. MacDonald, D. C. Walton, C. G. P. van Zyl.

Perhaps the major surprise is the inclusion of K. Oxlee. It was thought that Oxlee and J. H. Barnard would be bracketed and a choice made when the condition of the ground was known. The choice of Oxlee, however, is significant It must mean that South Africa is going to play the match very tight. Barnard is a brilliant attacking back but not a very sound kicker. Oxlee can be relied on to kick well and be a steadying influence on the team. L. G. Wilson and J. P. Englebrecht, who figured in the collision at Lancaster Park, have been chosen but their selection could bring some criticism. Wilson still has trouble seeing clearly and it is understood that he will be examinined on Friday to ensure he is fully fit. Englebrecht received severe concussion and it could be a risk playing him a week later in what will be a very hard match. D. J. Hopwood was not considered because of a lack of match fitness and that provided Ellis with his chance. Similarly with S. H. Nomis whose hamstring injury left the selectors with only J. L. Gainsford and F. T. Roux as form centres. Major Withdraws It was felt that if Nomis had been fit he would have played at centre with Gainsford, and Roux would have been moved on to the wing to replace Englebrecht. There has been another change in the All Black emergencies. The Auckland hooker, F. J. Colthurst, arrived at Wellington today to replace J. Major (Taranaki), who withdrew because of business reasons. The Poverty Bay second five-eighths, J. L. Collins, and the Wellington full-back, M. W. Williment, have been medically cleared for the match. In the inter-island match Collins injured a shoulder and Wiiliment his thigh. Williment also injured an ankle in the Wellington v. Springbok game.