DU PREEZ RETIRES

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 24

DU PREEZ RETIRES

Springbok’s\ last match (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) JOHANNESBURG.) The veteran Springbok lockj forward, F. du Preez, ended! a great Rugby career at the] week-end when he narrowly: missed leading his Northern! Transvaal provincial side to I victory in South Africa’s Cur-j rie Cup final. Du Preez, at 35 still onei of the greatest forwards in the game, announced that he] would retire, and this match! was the last game of the sea-! son.

A crowd of 54,000 one»of the largest in South Africa in i recent years, gathered at Ellis! Park to see Northern Transvaal and Transvaal draw, 14-14, in the final of the knock-out tournament. The two sides will share the trophy.

Du Preez looked set to end his career on a triumphant; note when his side led 5-3! at half-time and 14-9 with! only injury time to go. But a dramatic converted! try by Transvaal after five! minutes of injury time levelled! the scores and seconds after-! wards the final whistle blew ] Du Preez, who was given! a standing ovation when he] led Northern Transvaal on toi the field, played 38 times fori South Africa and represented: his province on more than 100: occasions.

Cricket.—The Pakistani test! batsmen, Zahir Abbas, who I qualifies to play for Gloucester*' shire next season, scored a cen-' tury for his new county club in its tour match against Zambia at! Lusaka. Scores: Zambia 355 and' 21/1, Gloucestershire 335 (Abbas 117, R. Davis 73, A. Milton 70:1 B. Ellis 3/14). I