‘Boks would dearly like firm ground

Press, 2 September 1981, Page 40

‘Boks would dearly like firm ground

From

KEVIN McMENAMIN,

in Rotorua

The 1977 Lions reckoned they got a rough deal with the New Zealand weather. The 1981 Springboks have cause to be of a like mind.

It has been almost uncanny how the Springboks have arrived at their match venues to fine weather, only to find a change to cooler temperatures and rain the next dav.

The pattern has continued in Rotorua, with the local cry of “you should have been here last week” no comfort to a side which would dearly love to get on to firm grounds. The wish should be partly met today. The Rotorua International Stadium, with its pumice base and excellent drainage, has remained firm despite the rain of the last two days, but the good sole of grass is fairly slippery and with more showers expected will probably remain so.

The stadium, with its amphitheatre look, is one of New Zealand’s most imposing rugby grounds s and a crowd of about 30,000 is expected to fill its terraces today. They would like, no doubt, to see a fast, open game, something which Bay of Plenty had, a season or two ago, a reputation for providing, and which the present coach, Graeme Crossman, has promised to deliver today, if — and its the big if of all provincial sides that have faced the Springboks — enough possession can be won.

The Springboks, riding high after their test win last Saturday, may also want a fast-moving game. Time is running out for their backs to win the kudos that the

forwards have earned and there must be an earnest desire among the mid-week players to share in the praise that has been heaped on the second test fifteen. Bay of Plenty has had a mixed season, a string of early season wins, plus a successful Australian tour, giving way to recent losses to Waikato, for the Ranfurly Shield, and Wellington. Its best effort was a 12-7 win over the national champion, Manawatu, a month ago. It is unlikely that Bay of Plenty will beat the Springboks today, but if the side tackles well and Greg Rowlands has one of his inspired games, which he is still capable of, then it could be close.

The Bay has some lively forwards, namely Kevin Eveleigh, Frank Shelford and Hika Reid, and if they get a head of steam up the Springboks will be forced to move the ball wide to find manoeuvring space.

They have not been very

successful at doing this in the past, although the placement of Colin Beck at flyhalf and the transfer of Errol Tobias to the centres is expected to aid the cause. Eveleigh, who lived in both Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and South Africa after touring the republic with the 1976 All Blacks, will be resuming some old rivalries. In fact, he and Eben Jansen, who will oppose him on the flank today, were both ordered off after they had exchanged blows in a Currie Cup match. Hennie Bekker may have lost his test place, but he remains an outstanding lineout forward at any lesser level and he will ensure that the Springboks have ample possession. For this reason alone, the Bay is going to be battling. It may also find its lack of experience close to the scrum a handicap, although there is counter balance here in the form of Rowlands and Eddie Stokes, who have both been pulling on the Bay Jersey for years. The teams are;South Africa: Johan Heunis; Darius Botha. Carel du Plessis, Errol Tobias, Edrich Krantz, Colin Beck; Barry Wolmarans; Johan Marais;' Eben Jansen, Theuns Stofberg (captain), Hennie Bekker, Rob Louw; Henning van Aswegen, Rob Cockrell, Heinpies du Toit. Bay of Plenty: Greg Rowlands: John Hanley, Eddie Stokes, Alisdair Sutherland, Bruce Morrison, Ron Preston; Mark Basham; Gordon Tietjens; Frank Shelford; Craig Ross (captain), Peter Chadwick, Kevin Eveleigh; Peter Kennedy, Hika Reid, Bruce Cameron.