THE 1928 SPRINGBOKS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 9, 5 October 1927, Page 11

THE 1928 SPRINGBOKS

PROBLEMS FACING THE SELECTORS DIFFICULTIES OVER TRIAL GAMES A HANDICAP FOR THE FIRST TEST Serious problems are facing tho selectors of the 1928 Springbok team to meet the All Blacks, according to the Cape Times, of August 21. This paper comments as follows:— “On the morning of the Natal match' against Province tho selection committee assembled . . and it was suggested that towards the end of the season a combined ’Varsity side—which could include men from other clubs —should visit Port Elizabeth and play a match or series of matches against the elect of the Eastern Province. Border. South-Western Districts arid North Easterns. The latter team would be chosen of course, by the selection committee, certain members of whom have seen players from these centres in action. These games were intended to serve in the nature of trials.

"It was furthermore recommended that trial games should be arranged amongst the Northern centres. These latter games have been abandoned apparently. "Transvaal have experienced a lean rear financially and are not prepared to stage these matches. "The fixture at Port Elizabeth will fake place probably if both. ’Varsity and Stellenbosch lose interest in the Town Challenge Cup. The question of Province against Transvaal at the Wanderers has been found imnractieable as only six of the Province best fifteen can make the trip. This, of course, is because players, cannot procure leave, while an added difficulty as far as Province is concerned, is the congested state of the fixtures with four teams each having a chance of securing the championship. “The suggestion tha a Country fifteen should play in Johannesburg in October has not been settled as yet. From what can be gathered, however, it appears Fkely that this tour will not materialise.

The selection committee,, therefore, outside the possible matches in the Eastern Province, are faced with an imnasse for the season 1927. Strenuous endeavours have accomplished nothing and they are now attempting to arrange a scries of trials early in 1928. Various suggestions have been made by members of the committee, but as far as .can be gathered the only practicable idea seems the arranging of trials in some centre just after the rugby season has commenced. Such trials should last about ten days or more,' and the South Arican fifteen should be selected naturally with sufficient reserves to meet all demands. B. Osler, the South African half-back, has suggested that the team should be gathered together on the Monday previous to the test, enabling them to. have a run on the Monday, a full, practice on Tuesday against some particular Provinces he,st; then Wednesday and. Thursday could he utilised in becoming acquainted with. each, others characteristics and eccentricities, in hcart-to-hcart talks and light training. “As far as one can see this is all that can be done in existing, circumstances and there is every indication that South Africa will nlay the first Test under, a severe handicap.”