Springboks May Be Surprised

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30826, 11 August 1965, Page 15

Springboks May Be Surprised

r ßy I. J. D HALL. Rugby Reporter of “The Press.“>

The Springboks have been eagerly awaiting their game against Northland today. They have been told that when they pass Auckland they arrive in “tiger country”—the domain of the fabulous P. F. 11. Jones, known, at least in Northland, “as the tiger of the north.” It is not only the aura of Jones that has whetted the appetite of the Springboks. Also, they have been informed that Northland, when the whim takes the side, can produce the most uninhibited Rugby in New Zealand.

Northland, with its I variegated mixture of Maoris, Jugoslavs and Europeans has produced a Rugby all of its own. On its day, which comes rather regularly, Northland! produces better Rugby than! any other province in New 1 Zealand. The forwards are tough, sometimes brawling; the ■ backs have a Rugby mystique!

(which can overcome any I team playing a formal game. i The Springboks have responded by choosing a team ‘which must be very close to .that which will play in the ! second test. Except for C. M. Smith, the back line is the first test j line-up and C. P. Goosen for J J. Naude is the only change I in the pack. The selection of the | Springbok team is interest- , ing. Smith, with his steady >1 displays, must be nudging :|D. J. de Villiers from a test

place and Goosen is soi (obviously a better line-out! forward than Naude. i Confirm Test Places i I If these players have a good game today they must { be very close to being chosen I for the second test. The same applies to the other players—a good game and they confirm their test places. The Springbok pack is big. tough and experienced. The i backs, with J. L. Gainsford as 'the man to provide the thrust, (has some attacking potential. I particularly if K. Oxlee can forget his role as a tactical I kicker and remember that [South Africa’s strength is I the running and passing i game. I Against this Northland has the proud record of beating Auckland 32-12—and an Auckland team that contained five of the All Blacks chosen for the first test. Individually, the Northland team has not much to offer Hard and Ruthless i E. J. Thompson is an ex- | perieneed five-eighths: D. R. I Panther a versatile wing. The (forwards, led by E. B. Dean land D. W. Hewitt, will be I hard, vigorous and ruthless. (The rucks could be the most | ferocious of the tour. But it is felt that the Springboks will lose this game. As yet they have not shown that they are geared to beat a team which can reduce the match to a loose, bustling affair and also refuses to bow to the superior weight of the Springbok pack. What Wanganui-King Country did, Northland can do better. Teams:— South Africa: L. G. Wilson: . ‘ G. Brynard, J. L. Gainsford, F. T. Roux, J. P. Engelbrecht: K. > Oxlee. C. M. Smith (captain); J . A. Nel; J. H. Ellis, C. P. Goosen.) F. C. H. du Preez, J. Schoeman: ! A. W. MacDonald, G. F. Malan. C. G. P. van Zyl. Northland: K. T. Going; R. P | i Smith, D. M. Ngawati, D. R. Pan ther: P. E. Marshall, E. J. i , Thompson, S. M. Going; L. P. Haddon; D. W. Hewitt, M. R Hull. E B. Dean, W. A. Rogers, L. G. Cook, D. S. Webb (captain), B. Yates. Referee: Mr L. S. Kirk (Canterbury).