”Glorio us Walk-over” Made Scrappy Win

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30839, 26 August 1965, Page 15

”Glorio us Walk-over” Made Scrappy Win

(By I. J. D. HALL. Rugby Reporter of “The Press") Displaying a ruthlessness in the forwards not presented often so far, the Springboks looked likely to have their most decisive win of the tour when they led South Canterbury-Mid Canterbury-North Otago by 28 to five after 15 minutes of the second half. But a rousing effort by the combined forwards bustled the Springboks badlv and the score finished at 28-13.

The Springboks had the dry ground they have wished for and for much of the game there were some brilliant passing movements as the backs, led by the tiny Barnard, combined beautifully to score some glorious tries. But once the Springbok forwards loosened up, the backs were not anywhere as impressive.

For South Africa, Engelbrecht (3), Truter (2). Janson, Slabber and Barnard scored tries, and Mulder and Naude kicked conversions. Bailey scored both of combined’s tries and A. Smith kicked a penalty and one conversion.

The combined team emerged from the game with credit. It lost its second-five-eighths, Gardiner, after six minutes and the pack battled gallantly to hold the heavyweight Springbok pack for the rest of the game.

Amazingly, the combined forwards, who had been outjumped in the line-outs and pushed back yards in the scrums for most of the match, suddenly found reserves of courage and determination. Sensing this the backs began to tackle more determinedly.

For the last 20 minutes they harassed the Springboks and launched counter attacks supported by a frenzied crowd. The eight points gained in that time were well deserved.

The Springboks had some impressive moments but there must be criticism for the team’s inability to sustain pressure on a beaten side. Made It Worse

The Springboks compounded their own misfortunes in that hectir last 20 minutes. When three tries had been scored easily and several others missed narrowly the whole team seemed to want to take part in the general frivolity.

As soon as that happened, and backs began trying for individual breaks with the forwards idling out in mid-field, the precision and purpose that

had produced such delightful Rugby in the first half fell away rapidly.

And as the game developed into spoiling Rugby, untidy rucks and general skirmishing so did tempers become frayed and when Marais, seeing something in a ruck, produced his own penalty for the offender the referee called the forwards together for a little lecture. Brilliant Start

But the rather scatty last 20 minutes could not dim the brilliance of the Springboks in the first half. The forwards were a cohesive unit, crashing forward in the loose, massing in driving from the line-outs. And always there was the guiding hand of Hopwood. Tidying up the end of the line-out, linking with his backs. He was a key man.

Given a plentiful supply of possession the Springbok backs, even though De Villiers had some awkward moments, produced some delightful movements.

The tiny Barnard revelled in the firm ground as he darted hither and thither through a bemused defence The first try came after seven minutes when Barnard grubber kicked for Truter to pick up and score. Down To Basics

It was a short-lived lead when Bailey crashed over after Truter fumbled a high kick over the line and Smith converted to give combined a two-point lead. For the next 20 minutes the Springboks got down to basic

Rugby. The forwards tightened, the backs kicked shrewdly, and soon the incessant pressure told on the combined team. A push-over try to Janson gave the Springboks an 8-5 lead, and then the fun started.

Movements swept up and down, back and across the field as the backs and forwards intertwined in a succession of bewildering moves. First Englebrecht scored after Hopwood had kicked for his wing, then there was a 60-yard move as Englebrecht started on his own side of the field; it went to Barnard, and Olivier; Naude then reversed back to Hopwood, Nomis, and Englebrecht scored in the corner.

It was not, however, frothy Rugby at this stage. The forwards were still grimly determined to grind down the home pack, and for the last 10 minutes play stayed near the goal-line held back only by a tenacious defence. Ran Riot

The first 10 minutes of the second half produced some amazing Rugby as the Springboks ran riot in an excess of enthusiasm. Every player seemed to be able to move through the defence at will. Englebrecht ran 60 yards to score. Barnard heat man after man, but De Villiers was called back after going over the line. Then players criss-crossed in a series of scissor movements, with Hopwood selling two dummies, and Slabber walked over in the corner.

Back came the Springboks again and Barnard earned his reward when he darted through on the blind side to score a grand try. The Rugby riches did not cease when Hopwood burst away from a line-out and fed Olivier. The movement swung back and

there was Hopwood again to pass to Truter, who scored his second try. But then all this lighthearted stuff went to the Springboks’ heads. Silly things were done, the forwards scampered with the backs. Perhaps it was the moment when the combined team should have crumbled but it did not.

Dench, Vercoe and Crowe began to smash into the rucks. The tackling was fiercer, and for their efforts the combined team scored eight points to bring the score to some respectability. Encouraging It was an encouraging performance by the Springboks in the first half. Botha and Naude jumped high in the line-outs, with Botha gaining most possession at number five, and both these men showed more drive in the 'oose play. Marais and Parker were a formidable front row; Parker unobtrusive but using his great strength n the line-outs. Marais was more noticeable in the loose where his speed to the loose ball was an asset.

Hopwood, Slabber, and Janson combined perfectly as the loose forwards. Janson for his crushing bursts near the rucks; Slabber for his intelligence and speed, but Hopwood was quite outstanding. Everything he did had the hallmark of a great international player. Walton was an eager forward, and took eight tight heads to two. Unhappy Day De Villiers did not have a very happy day. He fumbled the ball too often and allowed himself to be upset when McGregor followed the ball around the scrum and pounced on him. Barnard was delightful. His side-stepping runs, quickness off the mark and flair for the unexpected made him the crowd’s favourite. The newcomer, Olivier, was steady, running and handling well. Nomis looked for work eagerly, and one sudden burst left a path of defenders strewn behind him.

With all their chances Englebrecht and Truter scored five tries. Englebrecht was the most impressive, and his solo try was the highlight of the game. Truter was again bothered by bad handling, particularly when the ball was in the air. Mulder was a safe full-back and at times an adventurous one. Mainly Defence For the combined backs it was mainly a question of defence, which they did not perform very well in the first half. Bailey was an opportunist at centre, scoring two tries, and Smith, moved into second five-eighths, did his best to rally his team by his tqpkling. Farrell was a competent first five-eighths, handling and kicking well, and he combined well with the nuggety and aggressive McGregor. The forwards were a tired lot at the end, but they did give a fine display. Dench and Crowe battled all day against Botha and Naude. Vercoe ranged over the field seizing on the loose ball and smothering attacks. Doig and Moffat toiled hard ’ and Doig was one of the most I effective tacklers in the side. McNee. who had to go out on the wing, tackled well.