'BOKS MAKE 5 CHANGES

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30845, 2 September 1965, Page 17

'BOKS MAKE 5 CHANGES

A third of the South African team that was beaten in the second test has been dropped for the third test against New Zealand at Lancaster Park on Saturday.

The five new players are J. H. Barnard and D. J. de Villiers (inside backs), D. C. Walton (hooker), J. Naude (lock) and the experienced No. 8, D. J. Hopwood.

Announcing the team yesterday afternoon, Mr J. F. Louw said that four players —S. H. Nomis, C. P. Goosen, J. F. Marais and J. H. Schoeman—were not considered because of injuries. He added that Hopwood and Engelbrecht would have to pass fitness tests as Engelbrecht had a heavy cold and Hopwood an eye injury. He would not say who would be the replacement if either had to withdraw. The team is:—

L. G. Wilson; J. Engelbrecht. J. L. Gainsford, F du T. Roux; G. Brynard, J. H. Barnard; D. J. de Villiers (captain); D. J. Hopwood; J. H. Ellis, F. C. H. Du Preez, J. Naude, J. A. Nel; C. G. P. Van ZyL D. C. Walton, A. W. MacDonald. Naude For Kicking The team contains perhaps one surprise—the selection of Naude ahead of P. H. Botha. But once the selectors had committed themselves to playing the brilliant Barnard ahead of K. Oxlee another kicker had to be found, and

Naude became the logical selection. However, Naude has not been very successful as a kicker so far and it was noticeable that the coach, Mr H. Muller, had Naude, J. H. Ellis, J. A. Nel and F. C. H. Du Preez practising kicking at training yesterday.

But of the three new kickers orfly Du Preez impressed as having much ability in that particular field. Barnard’s skilful displays of attacking Rugby in his last two games must have given him preference over Oxlee but the accuracy of Oxlee’s kicking against WairarapaBush may have made the choice closer than was thought originally. Earned His Place

Hopwood has had to earn his place, for until the Maoris game he seemed to have fallen out of favour. But his display last Saturday must have finally convinced the selection committee that he was back to his best form.

Walton’s greater mobility in the loose as well as his speed as a hooker meant the omission of G. F. Malan, the vice-captain in the second test.

The Springboks yesterday trained at Lancaster Park which has a rock-like surface on the patches where the grass has been worn away. Looking closely at these bare patches, one player felt that if the ground became any harder it might need watering before the game.